AD GIFTED
With safety features and the ability to call parents, would you let your child have their first phone, as a smart watch? I tried myFirst Fone R1s to see…
My little boy is not even one yet, but the prospect of him, a tiny human, having a first smart phone is a bit scary. I’m not alone in this, many parents in this day and age are wary about the effects of such early screen use.
With social media usage rife, eyes glued to never ending videos and attention sapping clips and mental health on the decline as a result of early smart phone use: it’s not exactly the same as what we millennials grew up with.
Remember dial up internet and having to read an encyclopaedia to get information for homework? Or when you had to ask your friends parents if you can talk to them on their landline home phone?
A first phone sends a small spark of fear into me. So when I was asked to review “myFirst Fone” I was in two minds. It’s not a phone, per se, it’s a smart watch, a bit like the digital one named-after-a-fruit adults have. What will I think when he gets to five plus and is the recommended age?
To decide I thought I’d give it a go and see.
Firstly, it’s not a cheap watch- retailing at £159, you’ve got to be committed to it for it to be worth it. We all know children’s toys can cost a bomb, so is this worth it amongst everything else a five year old+ would want?
✅ So what are the pros?
It looks pretty cool and is customisable with different straps and stickers – I think a five year old immersed in a world of technology would find it super easy to use (I did and I’m not the most technologically gifted nowadays).
Safety and communication features: It comes with 4G LTE so your little human can stay connected to approved loved ones easily via video call or text without the need for a phone. Only contacts added by parents can communicate with your child for an added layer of safety. No third party apps work on the phone either, so great for avoiding “accidental” downloads of YouTube or social media.
The real-time GPS tracking & geo-fencing allows parents to monitor their child’s location and set safe zones, receiving alerts if the child exits these areas.
It comes with music player, camera and clock.
There’s a step counter and heart rate monitor built in as well, and your child can gain achievement badges when hitting targets to encourage physical activity.
The watch also has a class mode, where you can disable calls and messages whilst your child is in school so they have no distractions.
The design is durable and water resistant, with customisable watch faces which encourage child engagement.
❌ The Cons
The video spec isn’t the best, with everyone used to practically HD calling and video playback, it’s 2MP camera is more reminiscent of old phone cameras, the quality isn’t amazing, but then the screen isn’t huge so it doesn’t hugely matter.
Battery life: With active features like GPS and 4G, the watch often requires daily charging, which might be inconvenient for some families.
It also has an SOS mode which obviously has been added with good intentions but could be accidentally pressed causing false alarm and unnecessary panic.
The other consideration is that children may lose interest over time – with limitations on third party apps and feeling monitored as an older child, it may lose its novelty.
Finally, the price is high, and it’s the sort of thing once you start the slippery slope of personal tech, where does it end? Is this a gateway present to wanting a phone sooner? Or does it pacify the need for one? The jury’s out on that one.
Overall, it does what it says on the tin, with recommended age being five to thirteen, it’s a good alternative to a phone. If you’re interested in improving communication with your kids, or are avoiding the phone conversation and have a bit of dosh then perhaps give it a shot.
All opinions are my own. The myFirst Fone R1s was gifted to me and this post was in collaboration with myFirst Fone.
