Children's Data and Smartwatches: What a Parent Should Check
Short answer: When you buy a smartwatch for a child, the maker's privacy policy tells you what information the watch collects, how it is used, and who it is shared with. Under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), you must give consent before a company collects personal information from kids under 13. Check that the policy explains location, voice, and photo data, and that you can review and delete that data.
Why a kids' smartwatch raises data questions
A smartwatch for a child can track where they are, record voice messages, take photos, and send texts. Each of those actions generates data that, under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), counts as personal information. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces COPPA and explains that parents have control over what information websites and online services can collect from their kids. That control extends to how the watch and its app handle location, voice, and photo data. The same rules apply to smartwatches and their companion apps.
Understanding how a watch handles data is as important as its features. Before you choose a model, take time to read the privacy policy and decide whether the company's practices align with your expectations. The kids smartwatch buying guide can help you compare feature sets, but the data picture is separate.
What counts as personal information
The FTC's consumer advice page lists the types of data that COPPA treats as personal information. That includes a child's full name, address, phone number or email address; their physical location; photos, videos and audio recordings of the child; government identifiers like a Social Security number; biometric identifiers; and persistent identifiers, like IP addresses, that can be used to track a child's activities over time.
A smartwatch that uses GPS to show a child's location is collecting personal information, since GPS provides positioning data. A watch with a microphone or camera collects audio or video. The GPS locator accuracy article explains how location features work on kids' watches.
Where to find the maker's privacy policy
The privacy policy is usually accessible from the watch's companion app or the maker's website. Under COPPA, before collecting personal information from a child, the company should provide a plain language notice that explains what information will be collected, how it will be used, and how you can give consent. That notice should link to a privacy policy that is also easy to read.
If you cannot find a clear policy, that is a warning sign. Look for a dedicated section on kids' data or a COPPA page. The privacy policy reading article offers general tips for interpreting these documents.
What to check in the privacy policy
When you read the policy, focus on the following points:
- What data the watch collects: location, voice, photos, contacts, messages, and health metrics.
- How the data is used: for the core features, for advertising, or for improving the product.
- Whether the data is shared with third parties, and what those parties do with it.
- How long the data is kept and when it is deleted.
- How you can contact the company with questions or to request changes.
How parental consent works
COPPA requires a company to get your verifiable consent before collecting personal information from your child. The FTC says that consent can be obtained through various methods, such as a toll-free number, a signed form, or a credit card verification. You should see a notice that asks for your approval before the watch starts collecting data.
If you do not consent, the watch should not collect personal information, though it may still offer non-personal features. This consent process is part of the parental controls you should set up before handing the watch to your child.
Your rights to review, change, and delete data
As a parent, you have the right to review the information a company has collected about your child. To see it, you will need to verify that you are the parent. You also have the right to retract your consent at any time and to ask that the company delete any information it has collected.
The privacy policy should explain how to make these requests. Look for a section labeled 'parental rights' or 'access and deletion.' The kids smartwatch privacy checklist walks through the steps you can take after purchase.
If something looks wrong
If you think a site or service has collected your child's information in a way that violates COPPA, you can report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. That includes smartwatch makers and their apps. You can also contact the company directly to ask questions about its data practices.
Keep a copy of the privacy policy and any consent emails you receive. This documentation is useful if you need to file a complaint or request data deletion later.
Comparing smartwatches by privacy practices
When you compare smartwatches for a child, read the privacy policy before you buy. Look for a policy that is specific about data collection, not vague. Some makers publish a separate 'kids' privacy policy' that follows COPPA. Check whether the watch uses GPS and whether that data is only used for location features or also for advertising.
The best kids smartwatches guide includes models with different feature sets, and the kids smartwatch calling guide covers options with voice and messaging. Pair those feature comparisons with the privacy policy review to make a well-rounded decision.
What to pick for your use
| If you | Pick | Buying guide |
|---|---|---|
| You want a kids' smartwatch with calling and messaging | Look for a model with a clear policy on voice and message data | Best Kids Smartwatches with Calling in 2026: 15 Picks Compared |
| You want a kids' smartwatch with GPS tracking | Check that location data is not shared with advertisers | Best Kids' Smartwatches in 2026: 12 Picks Compared on Specs |
| You want a simple, data-minimal watch for a younger child | Prefer a maker that offers a plain-language COPPA policy and easy deletion | Best Kids' Smartwatches in 2026: 12 Picks Compared on Specs |
Questions
Does COPPA apply to smartwatches?
Yes. COPPA applies to websites and online services directed to children under 13, and that includes smartwatch apps and the services the watch connects to. The FTC enforces the rule.
What if the smartwatch is for a teenager over 13?
COPPA only applies to children under 13. For older kids, the rules are different, but you can still read the privacy policy to see what data is collected and how to control it.
Can I ask the maker to delete my child's data?
Yes. Under COPPA, you have the right to retract your consent and request deletion of information collected about your child. The policy should tell you how to do that.
What is a persistent identifier?
A persistent identifier like an IP address can track a child's activities over time and across different sites. The FTC lists it as personal information under COPPA, so a watch that connects to the internet may collect it.
What should I do if the policy is vague?
Contact the maker directly and ask specific questions about data collection, sharing, and deletion. If you do not get clear answers, consider a different watch that offers a more transparent policy.
Update history
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