Many children no longer have the freedom to explore the city or visit friends unnoticed. Often, they receive a special 'kids' smartwatch' from their parents, allowing continuous location checks or quick calls if concerns arise.
Kids' smartwatches are not new, but their usage has surged in recent years. Freek Zwanenberg from Bureau Jeugd & Media estimates that at least half of the children are being monitored. Experts warn this trend may hinder children's independence and resilience.
Parents see these watches as a way to maintain control, but educators argue it creates a false sense of security. Children need unsupervised experiences to develop problem-solving skills and autonomy.