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“Let me know when you arrive.” A sentence that probably every kid has heard from their parents, often several times a day—no matter whether they were heading to school, a friend’s house, or a visit with grandma. Parents are increasingly trying to keep track of their child’s movement and location, and many are providing their offspring with a smartwatch. But how do you choose the most suitable product?
Smartwatches for kids are more and more popular among parents. No wonder—just like other smart devices, these tiny digital gadgets can save moms and dads a lot of worry, helping them to watch over their children’s whereabouts or even communicate with them. “But not all kid trackers are a great choice—you should most definitely be picky about what you’re choosing,“ says Amer Owaida, a security writer from ESET. What to watch out for? Follow these simple steps to help you choose the most secure and handy product.
1. Look for as much information as you can
User reviews can be great help, if you want to make sure the device can be trusted. Search Google for the brand name, and even the model name, and add “security vulnerability” or similar word combinations to see what security features are included.
2. Check how the manufacturer perceives cybersecurity
Is the communication between the device and the server encrypted? If not, refrain from buying that product.
Smartwatches are connected to servers. If not properly secured, they might be the easiest way for hackers to get into the device, accessing information about your child, from the current location and name to phone numbers and conversations. “That could inadvertently put your children at risk instead of keeping them safe,” Owaida says. What’s more, due to some security vulnerabilities, cybercriminals might even be able to contact the child.
In 2019, the AV-TEST Institute discovered that a Chinese manufacturer, producing the SMA-WATCH-M2 smartwatch, exposed the data of more than 5,000 children around the globe, by not paying enough attention to the servers’ security, turning the watches into potential surveillance devices. Using the leaked data, the daily habits of a 10-year-old Anna from Germany could be reconstructed, including the GPS location of the child as well as her address and the routes she takes. “Masses of cheap Chinese-made IoT devices are failing to meet minimum IT security or privacy standards,” warns Maik Morgenstern from AV-TEST.
Among other things, the manufacturer’s servers were unencrypted and the online interface completely unsecured. Nevertheless, this was not an isolated case. Earlier that year, the European Commission even ordered the recall of the Safe-KID-One smartwatch, also due to privacy and security concerns.
It’s also a good idea to read the privacy policies on the manufacturer’s website carefully and find out as much as you can about the brand and company.
3. Search for vulnerabilities
Have there been any data breaches connected with the product or company? Has the brand faced security vulnerabilities? If so, how did the manufacturer behave—were those troubles resolved? And how quickly? If the company acted appropriately and was transparent about the problems, there is no need to panic. Security vulnerabilities occur relatively often, but it is essential to make sure that the manufacturer is ready to react immediately. Also, check whether the software can be updated and, if so, whether the manufacturer does so regularly. Not the case? Go for another product or brand instead.
4. Brand matters
Refrain from buying off-brand devices, if you cannot verify how they secure your data or where they upload it. Saving on the purchase price of a device may come at a heftier cost later on, such as your data being stolen.
5. Remember to do the updates yourself
Not only the manufacturer, but also you as a parent should update the firmware regularly to the latest possible version. When patches are released, install them immediately, since they are usually aimed at making your device more secure. If you don’t, hackers could exploit vulnerabilities to access your devices—something that you might have prevented had you installed the patch that addresses these issues.
6. Consider what functions you need
Would you like to communicate via the smartwatch or make video or phone calls with your child? Look for a device with a built-in camera, speaker or microphone. Or, would your needs be sufficiently met with a simple SOS function that, in case of emergency, contacts someone from a pre-defined list of contacts? And how important is geofencing for you? This is the function that lets you know when the child leaves a particular area.
Before investing in a smartwatch, consider how much control you want to have. There are even models that allow you to listen to your children’s conversations and surrounding sounds. Such functions might be useful in case your child starts interacting with a stranger. Some watches also include games and challenges. In any case, the more functions the smartwatch has, the higher the chance its battery life will be shorter. Some models need to be charged almost every day, while others last for weeks.
No matter how feature-loaded a device you decide to buy, always keep in mind that the more functions the device offers, the more potential touchpoints there are for hackers. If you choose a smartwatch that is packed with advanced technology, make sure it’s also properly secured.
All in all, smartwatches can be a great help, if correctly chosen. The more time you spend on research, not simply settling for the cheapest choice, the greater is the probability that smartwatches become your and your kids’ best friend. Wherever they go.
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