With all the new technology coming out of the woodwork, it can be challenging for parents or those raising kids to know what technology to bring into a child’s life and when that technology is age-appropriate. While many kids now have cell phones, some parents still aren’t comfortable giving their little ones devices such as these yet. So for parents who want to be able to connect with their kids without having to give them a smartphone, a smartwatch could be the next best thing. “Mom and dad both have watches, so why not me?” To help you see the potential benefits, here are three reasons you may want to get a smartwatch for your kids.

Knowledge and Peace of Mind for Parents

Smartwatches are a great way for a parent or caregiver to keep track of a variety of aspects of their kid’s life. According to Tim Woda, a contributor to UKnowKids.com, smartwatches can be used to track where your child is using GPS as well as how much physical activity he or she is getting in a day. They can also be used to contact your child via phone call, text, email or chat. With this type of access to your child, you’ll never have to worry about being out of communication or out of touch with them again.

Parental Controls Available

While many smartwatches have the same functionality as smartphones, they also come with a wide variety of parental controls to help adults feel more comfortable with your child having access to this piece of technology. According to Eliana Dockterman, a contributor to Time.com, these features can help parents feel more at ease when it comes to kids making purchases using these devices or having easy access to pornography.

The type of smartwatch you get will result in the type of parental controls available. However, common parental controls include features like time allowed to play games, accessible contacts for communication, Internet restrictions, purchasing permissions and more.

Helps Kids Keep Track of Themselves

Not only can the features and functions of a smartwatch help you keep better track of your child, but they can also help your child be more productive on their own. Lecia Bushak, a contributor to MedicalDaily.com, reports that research has found that smartwatches can help kids, especially those with ADHD, by helping them to better plan their day and execute those plans effectively. By providing children reminders regarding certain tasks or appointments they need to complete, kids can also have the organizational and informational benefits of using a smartwatch, just like their parents.

When it comes to the tech you let your kids use, most parents want to err on the side of safety and functionality. To accommodate both of those needs, you may want to consider smartwatches as the right choice for your child’s technology allotment.

SHIJINA RIJESH