A few years back, parents were 50-50 on whether kids should have their own tech devices. These days, however, parents are more accepting that technology will eventually become a part of every child's life and are using tech to keep their children safe and their minds at ease.
A quick search on your favorite e-commerce site for 'watches for kids' will show you a long list of options, but you'll find that most watches are tagged as GPS or smart watches. Is there any difference at all between the two? Let's talk about that! In this article, we'll look at what makes a kids' GPS watch different from a smart watch. From features to targeted demographics and business considerations, we'll discuss which wearable tech for kids is better for your business.
Understanding the Key Differences Between Kids' GPS Watches and Smart Watches
Businesses that sell kids' wearable tech, such as watches, should know that kids' GPS watches and kids' smart watches are completely different things. While there may be an overlap in both gadgets' features, each one serves a different purpose, which means they'll appeal to different clients.
Kids' GPS Watch: Prioritizing Safety and Security
GPS watches for kids are mainly used for tracking and locating the child wearing them in real-time. This wearable tech is a great option for parents letting their kids out of sight for a longer period, possibly for the first time. These can be parents sending their children to school for the first time, parents taking their kids on a trip to an unfamiliar location, or parents who want to let their kids spend more time outdoors without worrying about keeping them in sight all the time.
Aside from showing real-time location and tracking, most GPS watches for kids also have the following features and functions:
- Geo-fencing - This feature lets parents set virtual boundaries for their children (school, home, relatives' homes, etc.) via the map on the app that connects the child's watch to their parent's phone and receives a notification when the child exits the pre-defined perimeter.
- Location History - Location history lets parents see all the places their child visited within a selected period. This allows parents to help their kids build better and more efficient routes and routines.
- SOS alerts - Most kids' GPS watches feature a dedicated SOS button that's easy to press if they find themselves in a sticky situation. Pressing this button sends an alert to the parent's phone and usually includes the child's location to enable a quick response.
- Safety alerts - Another feature you'll see in many GPS watches for kids is sending safety alerts to parents. These alerts can be triggered by different instances, such as the watch being taken off, the child's location being outside the pre-defined perimeter, the watch reaching a certain (low) battery level, and more.
- Voice calling - A kids' GPS watch needs to be equipped with a SIM card to allow voice calling. This feature can give parents added peace of mind since they can call their kids when an alert goes off or a notification is sent. Kids can also call their parents whenever needed instead of relying on the SOS button alone.
Kids' Smart Watch: Fostering Connectivity and Healthy Digital Habits
Unlike a GPS watch that mainly functions as a children's tracker watch, a smartwatch boasts broader and more advanced features and functions. Think of it as a smartphone for your kids, but it is more compact. This device is more suited for older kids (tweens and teens and beyond) and appeals more to parents who want to give their children the option of being connected to them without indulging them with unlimited screen time. Whether or not a kids’ smart watch can replace a smartphone completely depends on the type/model you get.
Here are some of the most common features you'll see in a kids' smartwatch:
- GPS tracking and geo-fencing - Most kids' smartwatches can do what a basic kids' GPS watch can: track their location in real-time. Like a GPS watch for kids, a smartwatch for kids also connects to the parent's phone to allow the parents to create a geo-fence for their kids.
- Communication tools - Kids' smart watches are also equipped with SIM cards that allow them to send and receive calls and messages, keeping the child and parent in touch at all times.
- Apps and games - Like a regular smartphone, a kids' smartwatch can also download apps and games to entertain them during their free time. Of course, there will be limits on which apps are supported, but a good range of entertainment and even educational apps can be used with smartwatches for kids.
- Fitness tracking - Kids' smart watches often come with features that benefit their health, like a fitness tracker that can count steps, monitor their heart rate, and more. It’s not as comprehensive as a FitBit or similar smartwatches designed for fitness, but the feature is there for parents and kids interested in keeping fit.
- Camera - This feature allows parents to see their child and the child's surroundings, either during (video) calls or whenever they access their kids’ watch on the app, making it easier to distinguish their location.
- Alarms, reminders, and alerts - Like a regular kids' GPS watch, a kids' smart watch can also send alerts and notifications to the parent's phone when it is taken off or when the watch is taken outside the pre-defined perimeter. Additionally, it can be used to set a timer or an alarm for reminders and other things.
- Parental controls - Because a kids' smart watch functions like a compact smartphone, most manufacturers also add a feature that lets parents control the device from their phone. Some of the most common settings that parents can adjust remotely from their phones (or computers) include app permissions, contact lists, and tracking settings.
Sales Showdown: Kids' GPS Watches or Smart Watches?
Now that we've talked about the key differences between a kids' GPS watch and a kids' smartwatch, you might be wondering which type of wearable kids' tech does better in terms of sales. The truth is that both options do well, especially in this digital world that we live in. More parents are looking for ways to look out for their kids' safety and wellness while also giving them the freedom to explore the outside world beyond their line of sight, and both a kids' GPS watch and a kids' smart watch can help with that. It all comes down to which demographic you want to reach and sell to.
In general, a kids GPS watch can be extremely beneficial for younger kids aged between 5 and 12. At this age, kids are just starting to explore their surroundings on their own, and being assured that mom or dad will always know where to get them in case they can't find their way back on their own can be such a huge confidence booster. For parents of kids in this age range, seeing where your kids are at any time can also give you peace of mind.
For older kids who may already have some experience of going out and about on their own but are still curious about the "paths less taken" and have a tendency to explore their surroundings, a kids' smart watch might be a better choice as it allows them to not only share their location with their parents but also keep in communication with them without being distracted by social media and other things that tend to eat up their time and all their attention if they were to use a smartphone instead.
