Is a Kids Smartwatch Safe for Privacy? A Parent Checklist

Start with what the watch collects

A kids smartwatch is a small computer on the wrist, and it gathers more than location. Most models with calling or GPS collect the child's physical location, voice recordings from calls or voice messages, photos and videos if the watch has a camera, and sensor data such as step counts, heart rate, and sleep patterns. Some also collect persistent identifiers like IP addresses that can track activity over time and across services.

The Federal Trade Commission's COPPA Rule defines personal information from kids under 13 to include full name, address, phone number, email address, physical location, photos, videos, audio recordings, Social Security numbers, biometric identifiers, and persistent identifiers like IP addresses. If a watch maker collects any of these from your child, it must get your consent first and explain what it does with the data.

Not every watch collects everything. A simple watch with no camera, no microphone, and no GPS collects far less than a full-featured model with cellular, a camera, and voice chat. Before you buy, read the spec sheet and the privacy policy together, and ask: what does this watch actually know about my child? That question drives everything else.

• Location data from GPS and Wi-Fi positioning
• Voice recordings from calls, voice messages, and voice assistants
• Photos and videos if the watch has a camera
• Health data like step count, heart rate, and sleep patterns
• Persistent identifiers such as device ID and IP address

Know where the data goes

Data from a kids watch usually travels in a loop: the watch sends it over Bluetooth or cellular to a companion app on a parent's phone, then to the maker's cloud servers, then back to the app and the watch. GPS.gov describes GPS as a U.S.-owned utility providing positioning, navigation, and timing services; the watch uses that signal, but the location data itself is processed by the watch's manufacturer, not by the GPS system.

The important question is not just where the data goes today, but who else can reach it. Does the maker share location or health data with advertising partners? Can a third-party app on the watch request access to the microphone or camera? Does the companion app require a cloud account, and if so, what does the account's terms say about data use? The privacy policy should answer these questions in plain language.

A useful rule: the more features the watch has, the more data it creates and the more points of exposure exist. A watch with video calls and a camera produces photos and video that need secure storage and controlled sharing. A watch with only approved contacts and SOS still records location and call logs, but the surface area is smaller.

Configure these settings on day one

The right settings turn a generic watch into a privacy-conscious one. Most kids watches ship with controls in the parent's companion app; some require you to decide during setup. Do not skip setup screens that ask about data sharing, advertising, or location history. Read each prompt and choose the most restrictive option that still gives you the connectivity you want.

At minimum, set up an approved contact list so the watch can only call and message numbers you choose, and test the SOS button so you know it reaches you. If the watch has geofence alerts, configure them for school, home, and other regular places. Decide whether location history is stored continuously or only when you check on the watch; continuous history means a longer record of your child's movements.

Other settings to review include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth behavior (does the watch auto-join unfamiliar networks?), microphone access (which apps can listen?), and cloud backup (is health or location data synced to the maker's servers by default?). The parental controls article walks through each of these in more detail.

Know your rights under COPPA

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act gives you tools, not just the company obligations. If a watch maker or its apps are covered by COPPA, the FTC says you should get a plain-language notice about what information will be collected, how it will be used, and how you can give consent. The notice should link to a privacy policy that is easy to understand and that states who you can contact with questions.

COPPA also gives you the right to review the information collected about your child. If you ask to see it, the company must verify you are the parent before handing it over. You also have the right to retract your consent at any time and to have your child's information deleted. Keep the confirmation of your consent (an email or a screen you saved) so you can reference it later if you need to exercise those rights.

The FTC's consumer guidance is clear that once you give permission to collect, you are still in control. You can allow collection but prevent disclosure to others, and you can change your mind. If you believe a maker collected your child's data without consent or marketed to them in violation of COPPA, the FTC directs you to report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Read the privacy policy for these five points

A privacy policy is long, but you do not need to read every word. Look for five specific things before you buy. First, does the policy say the watch is intended for children under 13, and does it reference COPPA? If it does, the maker acknowledges the obligation to get parental consent. If the policy never mentions children, that is a red flag, not a pass.

Second, what data is collected and how is it described? Compare the policy against the watch's features. If the watch has a camera and the policy does not mention photos or video, the policy is incomplete. Third, who is the data shared with? Look for phrases like "service providers," "affiliates," "advertising partners," or "sold to third parties." Any of those words means the data may leave the maker's control.

Fourth, how long is data retained? A good policy states specific retention periods for location and voice recordings; a vague "as long as necessary" leaves the door open. Fifth, how do you delete data? The policy should describe a concrete process, ideally one you can do yourself from the app, rather than an email address you must write to and wait on. These five points usually appear within the first few pages of a policy.

You can also check whether the watch maker publishes a security updates commitment. Children's watches are network devices; a policy that promises regular firmware and app updates for the life of the product is a better sign than one that is silent.

Talk to your child about the watch

Privacy is not only a settings problem; it is also a habits problem. A watch that streams location all day teaches a child that location sharing is the default. Before you hand it over, explain what the watch knows, who can see it, and why. Keep it simple: "The watch tells me where you are so I can pick you up, and it only calls the people we put on the list."

Set expectations about what the watch is for. If the watch has a microphone or camera, tell your child not to use them in private places like bathrooms or bedrooms and not to share the watch's photos or voice messages with friends. The talking about tracking article offers a fuller script for this conversation.

Also review the watch together after a few weeks. Look at the location history and the call log with your child, and ask whether anything felt weird or uncomfortable. This normalizes the idea that the watch is a shared tool with rules, not a secret spy device, which is the healthiest privacy posture for a family.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Is a kids smartwatch safe for privacy?

It can be safe, but safety depends on the maker's policies and your settings. A watch with no camera, no microphone, and no cloud account collects less data than a full-featured model. Review the privacy policy for COPPA compliance, configure approved contacts and location controls, and teach your child what the watch shares. Under COPPA, companies must get your consent before collecting personal information from kids under 13.

What data does a kids smartwatch collect?

Depending on the model: physical location via GPS and Wi-Fi, voice recordings from calls and voice messages, photos and video if there is a camera, health metrics like steps, heart rate and sleep, and persistent identifiers like device IDs and IP addresses. The COPPA Rule defines personal information for kids under 13 to include all of these categories.

What is COPPA and does it apply to kids smartwatches?

COPPA is the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, enforced by the FTC. It applies to websites, apps, and online services directed to children under 13, including smartwatch companion apps. It requires plain-language notice, verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information, the right to review collected data, and the right to retract consent and request deletion.

How do I delete my child's data from a smartwatch?

Look in the companion app for a data deletion or account reset option. The privacy policy should describe the process. Under COPPA you have the right to retract consent and have your child's information deleted. If a maker does not offer a straightforward deletion path, you can report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Which settings matter most for privacy?

Start with an approved contact list so the watch can only call and message chosen numbers, test the SOS button, configure geofences for regular places, and decide whether location history is stored continuously. Disable advertising and data sharing prompts during setup, and review microphone and camera access for apps.

Should I worry about a camera on a kids smartwatch?

A camera adds a significant privacy surface because photos leave the watch and are stored somewhere. If the watch has a camera, confirm the privacy policy mentions photo storage and sharing, and set rules with your child about where photos are taken. A watch without a camera is the simplest choice if you do not need that feature.