Middle school usually comes with another right of passage these days: getting your first mobile phone. We all want our kids to be independent, but we also want to be able to stay in touch. 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 options for smartwatches 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 which don't require device tethering include Apple Watch SE (my recommendation), Samsung Galaxy Watch 6/7, and the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3.
Let's face it -- mobile phones are a distraction for everybody (perhaps especially us adults!) Certainly, you can't expect a 10-12 year old to manage this distraction effectively. Sure, you can put away devices at night, but they are still a distraction ... whether it's in school, at the dinner table, or just when you're trying to have a conversation (which, let's face it, can be hard enough with a tween!)
There is mounting evidence that social media can have a negative affect on children. Personally, I do not let my 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. Smart watches simply don't have social media, so they couldn't even use them if they tried.
If you get a smart watch with cellular (which is really the only kind to get in this circumstance), then your child can still call and text you any time. And you'd be amazed at the call quality (we have Apple Watches in our house, and I really can't tell the difference between the watch and a speaker phone on an iPhone).
Smart watches have GPS, so you can find out where your child is at any time using the "Find My" feature on your iPhone or "Find My Device" on Android.
Smart watches are tougher than phones, and more water resistant. They are also smaller and lighter which makes them less likely to suffer fall damage. And of course, they are 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, and they'll take a beating without a sweat. You can also add a small case to provide some extra protection.
You set up the smart watch from your phone, and then control which apps can be installed. You can also manage "down time" 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 the typical mobile phone. You can buy most watches for less than $250 up-front, so you'll just be paying the fee for the line, which is usually at a special "wearable" rate.
If your child already has a tablet, then they can set up their phone number on their tablet and sync messages between the two. Ditto for any apps which 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, comes in multiple sizes, and is reasonably priced. It also has all the features of it's 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, then your best option is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 or 7, which allows you to set it up as a standalone device. And if you want something inexpensive, and don't care about hooking it up to iMessage or Android messaging, then another great option is the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 (this is a great option for younger children as well).
Note: in most cases, you'll want to pay up-front for the device so it is unlocked. From there, you can contact your cellular provide 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 be able to opt-in to a payment plan as well if you go this route.
Whichever watch you choose, I recommend purchasing from a local store, in case you need hardware support or just need to swap it for a different size.
Apple Watch SE
As of April 2025, the best options in the Harleysville area are:
You can also purchase directly from Apple or your cell phone provider. They offer payment plans as well.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6/7
As of April 2025, the best options are:
You can also purchase directly from your cell phone provider. If you do, they will likely offer a payment plan.
Verizon Gizmo Watch 3
Get it at Verizon.com for $149.
