TL;DR: If you’re tired of the "Can I have a phone?" broken record but aren't ready to hand over a portal to the entire internet, a smartwatch is your best friend. It’s the ultimate "training wheels" device.
Quick Recommendations:
- Best for Simplicity: Gabb Watch — No internet, no social media, just the basics.
- Best for Durability: Cosmo JrTrack — Solid GPS and a "flexible" data plan.
- Best for Older Kids: Apple Watch SE — Great if you’re already an iPhone family, using "Family Setup."
- Best for Fitness: Garmin Vivofit Jr. — Less about calling, more about gamifying chores and steps.
We’ve all been there. Your kid is starting to stay after school for clubs, walking to a friend’s house, or heading to the park, and suddenly that "we'll just use landlines" 1990s dream dies a quick death. You need to reach them, and they need to reach you.
But handing a 9-year-old a smartphone is like giving a toddler the keys to a Ferrari. It’s too much power, too much risk, and frankly, too much TikTok brain rot for a developing mind.
A smartwatch acts as the bridge. It provides the "tether" of communication and GPS tracking without the "firehose" of the open internet, social media, or the addictive doom-scrolling that comes with a handheld screen. It’s the digital equivalent of letting them ride their bike to the end of the block—independence with a safety net.
Kids want them because they look cool and make them feel "grown." In their world, having a device is a status symbol. If they can send a voice note that says "I'm at the park, it's totally Ohio here," they feel connected.
Parents want them for three very specific reasons:
- GPS Tracking: Knowing they actually made it to soccer practice.
- Communication: Being able to text "Pick up is at 5:00, not 5:30."
- The "Walled Garden": Most of these watches only allow communication with a pre-approved list of contacts managed by you in an app on your phone. No random DMs from strangers.
Ask our chatbot about the best watches for GPS accuracy
Gabb is the "no-BS" king of the space. It’s basically a tool, not a toy. There are no third-party apps, no games that will turn your kid into a zombie, and no social media. It does talk, text, and GPS.
- The Vibe: Utilitarian.
- The Catch: The "Gabb Go" fitness interface is a bit basic, and if your kid wants to play Minecraft, they aren't doing it here. That’s a feature, not a bug, in my book.
If you are already deep in the Apple ecosystem, this is a very strong contender. With "Family Setup," the watch has its own phone number, but it’s managed through your iPhone.
- The Vibe: Premium and polished.
- The Catch: It’s expensive. Also, the battery life is... not great. You’ll be charging this every night, whereas some "kid-specific" brands might last two days. It also gives them access to more features, so you'll need to be diligent with Apple Screen Time settings.
TickTalk is for the family that wants video calling. It feels a bit more "techy" than the Gabb.
- The Vibe: The "Inspector Gadget" watch.
- The Catch: It’s bulky. On a smaller 7-year-old’s wrist, it looks like they’re wearing a small toaster. But the reception is generally solid, and the end-to-end encrypted messaging is a nice privacy win.
Cosmo has made a name for itself by being the middle ground. It has a camera for photos (which kids love) and a very intuitive parent app.
- The Vibe: The friendly starter watch.
- The Catch: The software can occasionally be laggy compared to the Apple Watch, but for the price point, it’s a solid "bridge."
When should you pull the trigger? Based on community data and usage patterns we see at Screenwise, here’s the breakdown:
- Ages 5-7: Usually unnecessary unless there’s a specific co-parenting or medical need. At this age, a Garmin Vivofit Jr. is better—it focuses on chores and activity rather than communication.
- Ages 8-10: The "Sweet Spot." This is when kids start having independent activities. A smartwatch here prevents the "But everyone has a phone!" argument for at least two more years.
- Ages 11-12: The transition period. If they’ve handled a smartwatch well, they might be ready for a highly restricted "dumb phone" or a managed smartphone.
Check out our guide on the 'Wait Until 8th' movement
The biggest fear parents have (and teachers have) is the watch becoming a distraction. Most of these devices have a "School Mode" or "Focus Mode" that you trigger from your phone.
When School Mode is on, the watch is just a watch. It won't beep, it won't allow texts, and it won't let the kid play with the settings. It only allows emergency calls to you. Do not buy a watch that doesn't have a robust, scheduled School Mode. Your child's teacher will thank you.
A Note on Privacy
These watches use GPS. That means the company making the watch knows where your kid is. Stick to reputable brands with clear privacy policies. Avoid the $30 "no-name" smartwatches you find on random marketplaces; their data security is often non-existent, and you don't want your child's location data sitting on an unencrypted server.
Let’s be real for a second:
- The Battery is a Chore: You are adding one more thing to the nightly charging ritual. If you forget, the watch is a paperweight the next day.
- The "Phantom" Tether: Sometimes, having GPS makes us more anxious. You’ll find yourself refreshing the map when they’re 5 minutes late walking home. Decide now if you’re going to be a "checker" or if you're using it for emergencies only.
- It’s Not Indestructible: Kids play hard. They play in dirt, they wash their hands poorly, and they bang their wrists against playground equipment. Look for "water-resistant" and "shatter-resistant" specs, but maybe also buy a screen protector.
Learn more about digital wellness and anxiety in parents
Before you hand over the box, have a "Contract Conversation." It doesn't have to be a legal document, but it should cover:
- The "Why": "We are getting this so we can stay in touch, not so you can text during math class."
- The Responsibility: "If it gets lost because you took it off at the park, we aren't replacing it immediately."
- The Privacy Balance: "I will check your location if I'm worried, but I'm not going to 'stalk' you. This is about safety, not spying."
If they start asking why they can't have Instagram or Snapchat like their cousin, remind them that this watch is their "training permit." If they can handle the watch without losing it or abusing it, they're proving they can eventually handle more responsibility.
A smartwatch is a fantastic compromise. It satisfies the kid's desire for tech and the parent's need for safety. It keeps them off the "brain rot" side of the internet while giving them the freedom to go play.
If you’re looking for a place to start, I’d suggest looking at the Gabb Watch for the younger crowd or the Apple Watch SE if you want a device that can grow with them into their teen years.
- Check your coverage: Most "kid" watches use specific networks (like T-Mobile or Verizon). Make sure the one you pick has a signal in your neighborhood.
- Set the boundaries: Decide on "School Mode" hours before the first day of use.
- Take the Screenwise Survey: See how other parents in your specific school district are handling the "first device" milestone.