Choosing between a Smartwatch and Smartphone is usually a crossroad that parents face in cases where there are concerns around providing a mobile phone.
We look at the most common parental concerns and the benefits of both options based on feedback from our conversations with parents:
Advantages of a Smartphone for a child
- Rapid access to information
- Easy to communicate with friends
- Geolocation
- Equal to their peer group
- Keeping up with technology
- No cost in handing down an old phone
Disadvantages of a Smartphone for a child
- Seeing something they shouldn’t
- Prank calling
- Strangers contacting their child
- Cyber bullying
- Excessive usage
- Access to Social Media platforms
If you are leaning towards a Smartphone, we have guide to the best phone contracts for kids
Advantages of a Smartwatch for a child
- Overcomes the fear of a Smartphone
- Limited functions
- Geolocation
- Can be a low cost gift
- Less likely to lose it
- SOS button
Disadvantages of a Smartwatch for a child
- Limited functions
- Can be difficult to set up
- Product quality
- Not equal to peer group
- Child may not use it
- Can be difficult to operate
If you are leaning towards a Smartwatch, we have complied a guide to the best kids phone watch
Best SIM card for kids Smartwatch
ParentShield SIM cards are perfect for a Child’s Smartwatch as they are 2G, 3G, 4G compatible and 5G ready, so whether it’s a Smartphone, Dumbphone or Smartwatch, we’ve got you covered. Plus, all of the features that ParentShield offer will still be available for the Smartwatch too.
- The only Mobile Network designed for Children
- All-Network SIM provides stunning UK coverage
- Know and control who they are talking to
- Monitoring capabilities not available on other mobile networks
- Teach responsible phone usage from day one
- Unique parental controls
- Impossible to overspend
- Stop phone usage after bedtime
Best SIM card for kids Smartphone
The best SIM cards for kids smartphones should have a guarantee of no-overspending out of the box, at the very least. And also have some controls with mobile data, such as a SIM with no data option or time controls. ParentShield SIM cards are perfect for children’s phones as the features are designed for the job.
Unique Features of ParentShield
- Use your choice of phone that your child will be proud to show off and is of the right level.
- Records all calls and texts to and from the sim card
- All texts and calls can be viewed in online ‘parent’ portal – Even ‘Deleted’ ones
- Unwanted texts or calls can be blocked at the touch of a button
- Internet can be turned on or off
- Free calls to home
- Time controls stop calls and texts after bedtime or during school time
- Adjustable security options so that your child can be given more freedom as they grow
- No advertising or encouragement to spend more is ever targeted by ParentShield at the user
- Daily Data Budgeting allows you to make sure mobile data ALWAYS lasts the whole month
- No overspending is ever possible.
- Automatic Word alerts
- Child Abuse protection and alerts
