Kiddipedia
There’s a particular kind of parenting anxiety that comes with saying yes: yes to walking to school alone, yes to catching the bus by themselves, and yes to a sleepover without you there. New research into how Australian parents assess readiness for their child’s first connected device shows that it’s not tied to age, but to milestones.
The Moments That Change the Conversation
A national YouGov study of 1,010 Australian parents with children aged 5 to 12, commissioned by Telstra, explored when families start considering a way for their child to stay connected. The research found that 81% of parents want children who don’t own a smartphone to have some independence and identified the key milestones most likely to prompt that decision:
Balancing Independence with Peace of Mind
The same research found that 87% of parents say it’s important to be able to contact their child when they’re apart, while 82% are interested in a device that helps them stay connected to a child who doesn’t yet own a smartphone. It’s this balance between independence and connection that is driving interest in smartwatches.
The Devices Filling This Gap
As more families look for ways to support their child’s growing independence without losing touch, smartwatches are emerging as a popular option. The Telstra Watch Plan is a $20 per month plan for Apple Watch that gives children their own number for calls, messages and location sharing. When paired with Apple Watch For Your Kids, it helps families stay connected while giving children greater freedom, offering parents another way to stay in touch with children who don’t yet own a smartphone.
How Two Families Are Using Smartwatches to build independence.
Hannah and Aron’s 11-year-old daughter is gaining more independence, heading to the shops with friends, travelling to and from school, and attending community events on her own. Because she also lives with anaphylaxis, being contactable matters even when she’s with other trusted adults.
“Smartwatches have been a great way to give our daughter a bit more independence. She can start doing more on her own, like getting to school or meeting friends, while still being able to stay in touch. It’s that balance of letting her grow, while knowing we can reach her if we need to.”
Ana and Andrew, parents of a 5- and 8-year-old, are further from that milestone but already thinking it through. Their focus is on building healthy habits and emotional maturity before any device enters the picture.
“We are considering smartwatches because they give us more choice in how the kids stay connected. It feels like a way to introduce technology on our terms, keeping it simple, focused on what we need, while supporting their independence as they grow.”
What Parents Say Matters Most
When asked what they valued most about giving a child a connected device like a smartwatch, parents ranked these benefits highest:
- Staying connected in an emergency (56%)
- Greater peace of mind (40%)
- Connection without needing a smartphone (40%)
- Supporting growing independence (32%)
The Bottom Line
As children begin reaching milestones such as walking to school, catching public transport and spending more time away from home, many parents are interested in a device that keeps them in touch with children who don’t yet have a smartphone. The findings suggest families are moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach, instead seeking options that reflect their child’s individual needs and readiness. That’s where Apple Watch For Your Kids, paired with the Telstra Watch Plan, can play a role. Through calls, messages and location sharing on a standalone smartwatch, it helps families stay in touch while supporting children as they take on greater independence.
