How to Choose the Right Apple Watch for Your Kids
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Some people say you shouldn’t give your kid a phone until they’re at least 12 or 13 years old because there may be disadvantages in their development and behavior, and it may even cause addiction.
However, just because you may not want to give them a phone yet doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use technology to your advantage as a parent. After all, giving your kids a device is a great way to keep track of them without bothering them.
That’s why an Apple Watch is a great solution. It gives you the tools you need to help them without giving them access to all the features an iPhone provides.
But that raises another question: which Apple Watch should you give your kids? Let’s dive in.
Consider Getting Something Affordable
It’s no surprise that most kids don’t take care of their stuff. After all, they’re just kids. Because of this, you’re better off getting something cheaper for them.
At the time of writing, the cheapest Apple Watch Apple sells is the second generation Apple Watch SE, which starts at $249 for the 40mm model. While that’s a more affordable price than the Apple Watch Series 9 or the Apple Watch Ultra 2, you probably can find something cheaper.
Even if they aren’t sold by Apple now, you can find an Apple Watch Series 6 or a Series 7 in other stores, and they’ll be a way cheaper option that still provides all the features they might need.
Choose the Smaller Apple Watch
For most kids, a smaller Apple Watch will be the right fit for them. Unless they have big wrists, a smaller smartwatch will be easier for them to carry around. Not to mention that they’re usually cheaper, which goes back to our previous point.
Consider Their Needs (And Yours)
When choosing the right Apple Watch, you need to consider its features. Unfortunately, not every Apple Watch is built the same, and some will lack certain features.
Of course, the features you want will depend on your kids’ needs and their age. For instance, you might want to choose an Apple Watch with a Blood Oxygen sensor, but Apple says that this app is designed for people over the age of 18. The same goes for other features like the ECG app.
If you want an Apple Watch for a teenager who’s soon to become an adult, getting an Apple Watch with all or most of the health features available might be a better idea. On the other hand, if you have a smaller kid, you might not be able to use the health features to their full potential.
Choose an Apple Watch With Cellular
One of the main reasons you might want to get your child an Apple Watch is to know their location when they go out. You might also want to talk to them, which makes cellular a must-have feature for your Apple Watch. It’s also required to set up an Apple Watch with Family Setup; non-cellular models must be paired with an iPhone.
Sure, you might have to spend a bit more money, but you’ll rest assured that you can find and talk to your kids whenever you want. Moreover, your kids will also be able to send messages to their friends without having to give them an actual phone.
Consider Software Update Support
Another factor to consider is how many software updates your kids’ Apple Watch will support, although this isn’t as big of a factor as others.
While getting support for upcoming software updates is always great, it’s not absolutely necessary. An older Apple Watch might still give you and your kids all you need, even if you can’t update it anymore.
With that said, it’s worth noting that most Apple Watch models tend to get at least five years of software updates, which isn’t bad. However, you’ll need to pay full price for the latest Apple Watch model.
Luckily, the Apple Watch will still work to locate and talk to your kids, even if it doesn’t support software updates anymore.
Which Apple Watch Model Is the Best for Your Kids?
While there isn’t one right answer, there are a few models worth considering if you want to buy an Apple Watch for your kids.
For starters, we recommend you look into the 2nd generation Apple Watch SE. Starting at $249, this is Apple’s budget Apple Watch, and it comes with the basic features you need. Sure, it doesn’t have some of the more advanced features, like Double Tap or the Blood Oxygen sensor, but it’s a better bang for your buck compared to the more expensive Apple Watch Series 9 or Apple Watch Ultra 2, especially since you’re also not paying for features you don’t need, like an ECG and Blood Oxygen sensor that won’t work for younger kids anyway.
With the Apple Watch SE, you’ll still be able to track and communicate with your kids, and you’re guaranteed to get support for future software updates for at least three more years.
Of course, if you want an Apple Watch with all the health features, you’ll need to go for a main series model. If you don’t care about software updates and just want something affordable that works, you can try finding an Apple Watch Series 6.
The Series 6 is the oldest Apple Watch that still comes with all the essential health features available, including the blood oxygen sensor, the last significant one Apple introduced (the Apple Watch Series 8 added a body temperature sensor, but that’s of limited usefulness as it’s primarily intended for women to track their reproductive cycles).
Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that this Apple Watch is kind of old, which means it’s not getting many more software updates. There’s a good chance that watchOS 11 will be the last software update the Series 6 gets.
The good news is that your kids will still be able to use it and enjoy it for a few more years without worrying about updates. And since it’s an older device, chances are you’ll find it at a great price.
Of course, if you want something more modern, you can go for the Apple Watch Series 8 or Series 9. They shouldn’t be as expensive as the Series 10 — the latest Apple Watch model — and they’ll get software updates for a few more years.
Choose the Right Apple Watch
The good news is that it doesn’t matter which Apple Watch you choose; they all work great for what you need them for. Whether you want to make sure your kids are safe or just talk to them every once in a while, getting them one of the Apple Watch models we suggested above will let you do all of that and more.
