10 tips for choosing a smart watch for a child

All displays installed in smart watches are divided into color (AMOLED, LSD, etc.) and monochrome (E-ink). Screens capable of displaying color pictures and videos look stylish and attractive. For their manufacture, various modern matrices are used, but keep in mind that they are distinguished by high energy consumption.

Monochrome displays are designed exclusively for viewing text and graphic information. They will be an excellent choice for a child if you do not want him to spend all his free time watching movies or playing games. The advantages of monochrome screens: minimal energy consumption, no glare when used in sunlight.

The display diagonal varies from 0.5 to 2 inches. The smaller the screen, the more inconvenient to use the device. However, models with large displays are much more expensive.Almost all smart watches are controlled via the touch panel, but for the convenience of the child, some manufacturers additionally install buttons.

Adults use smart-watches together with a smartphone, and children instead of it. In other words, the gadget should become a full-fledged replacement for a mobile phone, so choose models that do not require synchronization with a smartphone to work.

Users in the reviews indicate that it is very convenient to buy watches that are synchronized with a personal computer or tablet. Then parents can always stay up to date with the child's conversations, messages and location.

You can synchronize smart watches with your dad's or mom's smartphone, but then before buying a device, make sure that you can call and send messages to the children's gadget from the same mobile phone.

Most watches run on the Android operating system. Models of the new generation are universal, so they can be synchronized with mobile phones and laptops that work on absolutely any base.

Note! OS compatibility is indicated in the technical description of the watch. Be sure to check it out before buying.

The case of children's smart watches is usually made of modern plastic or its combination with metal. The lighter the device, the more convenient it is to use. Completely metal watches for children are not on sale.

The strap is made of soft silicone. This hypoallergenic material wraps around the child's hand well, but at the same time it does not press or rub at all. Silicone is pleasant to the touch and does not have a specific smell.

Plastic or mineral glass is built into children's smart watches. Both options are durable, reliable and highly transparent. However, keep in mind that mineral glass is much more resistant to scratches and other mechanical damage.

Battery capacity is an important criterion for choosing smartwatches for children. According to the battery life, all devices are divided into 2 categories: those requiring daily charging and capable of working for about 4-5 days in active mode.

The second group includes smart watches with a monochrome screen on an E-ink matrix. They are able to function for a long time without additional charging, but they will take longer to charge (about 4-5 hours).

Models equipped with color displays require daily charging. Because of this, they are inferior to monochrome devices in terms of usability, but win in design. Naturally, the more functions a smartwatch has, the faster it runs out.

To choose the right smart watch for children, pay attention to their capabilities. The more of them, the higher the cost of the device.

The main functions necessary for the child and his parents:

• Calls. You can receive and send calls from any smart watch. However, keep in mind that the gadget works only in speakerphone mode, so your conversation will be heard by people around you. Communication is established only with those contacts that are included in the SIM card memory, so an outsider will not be able to call the child;
• Messages. Sending and receiving SMS messages, as well as voice recordings, is not supported by all models.If you need this function, then before buying a smart watch, make sure it is available. Receiving and sending voice messages is a very convenient way to communicate if your child is still small and cannot write on his own;
• Hearts (flowers). This is a kind of reward in the form of incentive prizes. They are issued for excellent grades, success in sports, deeds and even behavior. Only parents can send them to a child. The total number of hearts (flowers) is constantly displayed on the smart watch screen;
• SOS. This button automatically dials 911 and then starts calling the 2-3 most frequently dialed numbers. In the settings of some smart watches, you can pre-enter the contacts to which the device will send a call if the SOS button is pressed. A very convenient feature for parents concerned about the safety of the child;
• Contact book. There is a separate directory in the memory of the smart watch, in which you can record about 10-15 numbers. Separate buttons can be allocated for "hot" contacts (mother, father, other close relatives).

If you choose a watch for a teenager, then pay attention to the presence of a camera, an alarm clock, a timer, a flashlight, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Additionally, there may be a "Callback" function, i.e. listening and recording all telephone conversations.

Almost all children's smart watches are equipped with a GPS module. If you buy this device for your child, so that you always know where he is at the moment, then be sure to check the availability of this function.

A GPS tracker built into smart watches for children allows you to:

• in 2-3 seconds to find out the location of the child,
• quickly plot a route to a given place,
• memorize up to 1,000 waypoints,
• view the distance travelled.

Note! At the same time, the navigator does not depend on the GPS module built into the mobile phone.

The child's location can be periodically sent to a parent's smartphone (for example, every 45 minutes). By downloading a special application, you can limit geolocation, in this case, if the boundaries are violated, a notification will be sent to the mobile phone of mom or dad.

Judging by user reviews, modern smart watches are equipped with a micro SIM card (15x12 mm), which is also present in almost all smartphones. Less common in devices are mini and nano card slots.

SIMs of these sizes are found in all mobile operators: Megafon, Beeline, MTS, etc. Before installing, make sure that the card supports 2G or 3G Internet, otherwise the GPS module will not work and it will not be possible to track the location of the child.

Not the main thing for parents, but important for children is the design of smart watches. Manufacturers offer a huge number of colors: from the brightest, ending with neutral and classic shades.

For younger children (from 5 to 10 years old), the best choice would be a smart watch with a bright strap, decorated with your favorite cartoon characters, children's movie characters and other interesting drawings.

For teenagers (from 10 to 15 years old), bright models will not work. Boys usually choose devices with a black, gray or dark blue case, girls stop at red, pink or white watches.

Children are truly creative creatures, striving to explore this world always and everywhere. Drawing with paints, playing in the sandbox, walking with friends - all this ensures that the child often comes into contact with water and dust.

In order for children to be more comfortable and not have to remove their smart watches every time they wash their hands, you need to take care of their protection. It is provided by the international IP standard, which reflects the importance of dust and moisture protection.

IP is indicated on each smart watch model:

IP66	IP67	IP68	IPX7, IPX8
Resistant to falling into dust, can withstand minimal wetting (e.g. splashing water when washing hands)	Same dust resistance rating, but more water resistant and may not be removed even when showering	The performance of the smart watch is not affected by immersion in water, so it can be used when swimming in the pool	100% protection against dust and sand, the gadget is resistant to significant wetting

 

The higher the IP value, the longer the smartwatch will last your child.

If you want to remain confident in the safety of your child and regularly track his whereabouts, then it would be better to choose smart watches from reliable manufacturers.

Judging by the reviews, these include:

• asus,
• Pebble,
• samsung,
• lg,
• polar,
• sony,
• asus,
• Apple,
• xiaomi,

The cost of the gadget is determined by its functionality, design and brand. Price categories are different: from 750 rubles. up to 25,000 rubles and higher. Of course, the cheaper the smart watch, the less useful features it has.It is also unreasonable to choose too expensive models, since children can inadvertently damage the case or strap. The best option is to choose a model costing from 1,500 to 7,000 rubles.