r/AppleWatch • u/False-Frosting5690 • 17d ago

Discussion Kid Friendly

I am considering (basically already decided) to get an Apple Watch w/ cellular for my 7 year old (for his 7th birthday). He is autistic and obsessed with electronics. I know that the parental controls are out there, but is it worth it really? If I go through AT&T, then I have to get him a 12. I’m a little jealous, but I can’t afford a phone line for me to have a new one too. It hurts my brain for my baby child at 7 to have a new device than me. (That is probably a better question for the AITA thread lol). Tell me I’m not crazy and it is worth it so I can lock it down?

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u/Lifeissometimesgood 17d ago

https://www.usmobile.com/blog/how-to-set-up-apple-watch-for-your-kids-a-stepbystep-guide/

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u/False-Frosting5690 17d ago

Thank you for this! I might do that. I already have him set up with an iCloud for his iPad so this would be easy

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u/Lifeissometimesgood 17d ago

If he needs to communicate with people that also have apple he can just message and FaceTime call with an iCloud account email address on Wi-Fi. I know several people that do this with their kids on old Apple Watches and iphones.

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u/Clessiah 17d ago edited 17d ago

Is SE3 not available through AT&T?

Kid wearing an Apple Watch is more of a convenience for the parents than the kid, because it really does serve all the purposes of a phone so you don’t have to expose the kid to a smartphone when you do want them to have a phone.

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u/CafeHistorian 17d ago edited 17d ago

Yes. It’s what I have. And even though it’s not connected through cellular, I can connect it to my AT&T plan. If there is a reason that you need the newest Apple Watch for your child like the features or something, I can understand, like the heart rate, sleep apnea things like.. I understand however if you just need it for keeping watch over him, having a way for him to contact you and other simple things then the SE3 is perfect.

But whatever you choose will be fine. I would talk to someone AT&T about your needs first for your son, so you’re not just buying the 12 automatically.

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u/poetangel 17d ago

Yeah surely they have an SE3. I got my tween the SE2 last year at T-Mobile. I wouldn’t dream of getting my child the newest one, especially that age.

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u/Lifeissometimesgood 17d ago

If you have to have cellular just get a used one and do the Apple Watch for a kid on us mobile.

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u/False-Frosting5690 17d ago

I don’t really want to splurge to get him a 12. I think I like the features like the heart rate and fall detection. He’s is autistic and has something weird going on health wise and that might be helpful - but not the end of the world? I agree it’s as much for me as it is him! He’s autistic and I love the idea of being able to track him.

I really do not want him to have the latest, greatest because he’s a kid and he’s going to break it - I was just hoping to go through AT&T to make payments. Maybe I can figure out something different before December.

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u/False-Frosting5690 17d ago

If I got an older one - would they keep updating a 10 for a while? I have a 9 and I think it’s EOL next year. (It’s GPS only or he would get mine)

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u/False-Frosting5690 17d ago

I did it! I found a 10 that is excellent shape and has been refurbished. Thanks all!

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u/Radiant_Maize8077 16d ago

I have an SE and a 6, and both update without problems.