approx. 6 min read
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The question is asked more and more often: Are Anio 6 kids' smartwatches banned at schools? Our answer: There is no general ban on smartwatches at schools!
You can find out here how the Anio 6 can be used during school hours, whether the Anio watch is banned, and what the current situation is regarding smartwatch bans at schools!
Why are there concerns about the use of smartwatches at primary schools?
Data protection is an important aspect that calls the use of smartwatches at schools into question. Especially with regard to privacy, many concerns have arisen in recent years. With the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), awareness of data protection issues has been further sharpened.
In the past, there were some kids' smartwatches on the market that raised data protection concerns due to their features. Certain models were equipped with hidden microphones that were able to record all sounds in the vicinity of the smartwatch, including conversations. This allowed parents to eavesdrop on lessons unnoticed and listen in on teachers without their knowledge.
As a result, the Federal Network Agency already banned the sale of these watches in 2017, as they are classified as unauthorized listening devices.
IMPORTANT: Generally, smartwatches with a listening function are banned, all other smartwatches that do not have this function are allowed!
Is a smartwatch allowed at school?
In principle, YES! Unfortunately, at some schools, children call their parents during class hours or get distracted by games. Therefore, some schools ban kids' smartwatches, as this disrupts the school day and phone calls are prohibited.
Our solution for this? The Anio 6 kids' smartwatch with school mode!
What does school mode on a smartwatch mean?
The Anio 6 has a school mode specially developed for school. This school mode can be activated and controlled via the Anio Watch Parents App. For this, you set certain times for specific days of the week, during which the watch becomes a completely normal wristwatch. During these times, the display of the Anio smartwatch then automatically turns red. The touchscreen of the watch is now locked, the display only shows the selected watch face (analog or digital) during this time. All incoming calls and messages are blocked and muted during this period. After the end of the school rest periods, the Anio 6 smartwatch with school mode transforms back into the fully functional kids' smartwatch and all missed messages will be displayed to your child with an exclamation mark and can now be read. A missed call will also be displayed on the smartwatch with a red frame around the name in the phone book.
So, for example, you can set that the smartwatch school mode is activated from Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 13:00.
For different lesson times during the week, you can apply up to 4 different time slots to the different days of the week. This way, you perfectly adapt the watch to your child's everyday life!
Pros and cons of a kids' smartwatch in primary school
Some parents still remain skeptical about whether a smartwatch with school mode makes sense for children in primary school. They could argue that their child gets distracted and this can lead to concentration problems.
Here you will find some pros & cons of the Anio 6 kids' smartwatch with school mode:s
+ GPS function – tracking your child is possible & thus increases the child's safety, e.g. on the way to school
+ In emergencies, your child can quickly reach you via the SOS function
+ Your child can call you as parents or other saved contacts – especially practical if you are late or your child is ready to be picked up earlier
+ No camera & games – no distractions ensure fewer concentration problems
+ Losing a smartwatch is less common than a mobile phone
+ Smartwatch with school mode
+ The ideal entry into the digital world - Technology is completely normal for the younger generation and children learn how to deal with it
- Risk of theft
- Smartwatch ban – schools still have the last word here
- Too early independence – from when your child should become independent, every family must decide for itself
Seek communication with the teachers
If you have learned that there is a smartwatch ban at your child's school or if the teachers have given you information about this, it is advisable to seek a conversation directly. Teachers are often not familiar with all models and the variety of today's smartwatches. Therefore, it is all the more important to explain this.
The following tips will help you with a convincing argument:
Inform yourself thoroughly: Inform yourself about the different models and features of kids' smartwatches before you buy one for your child. Prepare thoroughly and go into the conversation with the teachers with convincing arguments.
Communicate respectfully: Make sure not to appear arrogant, to ensure that the teachers feel taken seriously and respected. Not all teachers are familiar with the latest technologies. Therefore, it is important to be informative without appearing condescending.
State your concerns: An understanding teacher will take your concerns seriously and understand. Share openly and clearly why it is important to you that your child wears a smartwatch in primary school.
Clear up doubts: Pay close attention to where the concerns of the teacher, the school management, or the principal lie. It is crucial to understand and clear up these doubts.
In general, an open conversation is the optimal way to find a satisfactory solution for both parties. However, also accept if the smartwatch ban at the school remains.
Our tip: Talk to the class teachers. It is also important to them that the children become independent and can safely go to school.
There are different options to bypass a general smartwatch ban. For example, teachers can learn about the functionality of the watches or know that the smartwatch is only used outside of school hours. At secondary schools, there is often a rule that smartphones must remain in the school bag.
With the Anio 6 kids' smartwatch with school mode, this necessity is eliminated, as it works like a conventional watch in rest mode during school hours.
If a smartwatch is not for you and you would rather switch to a wristwatch for your child, then we have the Anio 3 for you. Thanks to its dial, the Anio 3 is the ideal watch to learn the time. When should your child learn the time? You can find out here.
Your Anio Team!
