A few years ago, my eldest child hit 6th grade and the number of times (a day!) he asked us for a phone went through the roof. We heard all the usual arguments - all his friends had one (some of them since 3rd grade!), he needed to be able to look up info for school assignments, his lack of a phone made him a social outcast…any of these sound familiar?!
For many families, sending our kids off to middle school comes with another rite of passage these days: handing over their first mobile phone. We all want our kids to be independent and not feel left out, and we also want to be able to stay in touch and keep in touch when they’re away from home more often. And while giving them a mobile phone makes sense, I believe that giving them a smart watch is ... well ... smarter.
Here are a few reasons why.
Today, there are multiple smartwatch options that don't need to be tethered to a phone. They have a cellular connection, which means they have their own phone number, but you do the setup from your device and then hand it off to your child. Some devices that don't require device tethering include the Apple Watch SE (my recommendation), Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, and the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3.
Let's face it -- mobile phones are a distraction for everybody --perhaps especially us adults! And of course, you can't expect a middle schooler to manage this distraction effectively. Sure, you can put away devices at night, but they will still creep into your daily routine frequently ... whether it's in school, at the dinner table, or just when you're trying to have a conversation (which can be hard enough with a tween!)
There is mounting evidence that social media can have a negative effect on children. (Side note: for a really great, research-based take on the impact that technology and social media are having on kids, check out Jonathan Haidt’s Substack, After Babel)
Personally, we have chosen to hold off on letting our kids use any social media -- their "social media" is iMessage. Eventually, they will, but in my opinion it's best to keep them off it for as long as possible. Smartwatches simply don't have social media, so they couldn't even use it if they tried.
If you get a smartwatch with cellular (which is really the only kind to get in this circumstance), your child can still call and text you anytime. And you'd be amazed by the call quality (we have Apple Watches in our house, and I really can't tell the difference between the watch and a speakerphone on an iPhone).
Smartwatches have GPS, so you can find your child's location at any time using the "Find My" feature on your iPhone or "Find My Device" on Android.
Smartwatches are usually tougher than phones (Apple, for example, uses a strengthened glass called Ion-X) and more water-resistant. They are also smaller and lighter, which makes them less likely to suffer fall damage. And of course, they’re usually strapped to your child's wrist, so say goodbye to lost devices. They can be used when playing sports, in the water- you name it. You can also add a small case to provide extra protection (your child will still find a way to break it—at least mine will!).
You set up the smartwatch from your phone and then control which apps can be installed. You can also manage "downtime" for times when you don't want your child using their watch (say, during class).
Both the setup cost and the monthly fee will be lower than those of a typical mobile phone. You can buy most watches for less than $250 upfront, so you'll just be paying the monthly fee for the line (which includes cellular service), usually at a special "wearable" rate. Many mobile providers also offer payment plans or discounts.
If your child already has a tablet, they can set up their phone number on it and sync messages between the two devices. Ditto for any apps that are available on both devices. This is a great way to give your child a bit more capability than a watch when they are home and not completely unsupervised.
My strong recommendation is the Apple Watch SE. It includes cellular service, comes in multiple watch sizes, and is reasonably priced. It also has all the features of its more grown-up brethren, so you won't miss out on anything. The setup features and parental controls are second to none and, in typical Apple fashion, well thought through. The one caveat is that you will need your own iPhone to set it up -- so if you are an Android family, then you'll want to go for my Android recommendation instead.
If you prefer the Android ecosystem, your best option is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 (or one of the newer models), which you can set up as a standalone device. And if you want something inexpensive and don't care about syncing it with iMessage or Android messaging, another great option is the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 (it's also great for younger children). There is also the TickTalk 5, if you don't want to be tethered to the Apple or Android ecosystem (or if you and your partner have different types of phones).
Note that in most cases, you'll want to pay up front for the device so it is unlocked. From there, you can contact your cellular provider to activate the number. However, if you are on AT&T or Verizon, you can streamline this process by buying the device from Best Buy or directly from your cellular provider. You will also be able to opt into a payment plan if you go this route.
I hope this helps you and your child ease into the ocean that is today's technology.
Cheers!
-Ben
