Cell phones were the first form of technology that presented issues of attention and distraction for students, but now there’s a new one: smartwatches.

Cell phones in students' hands appeared to be the major concern about technology’s invasion of schools, which affected student performance and behavior, but there’s another player—smartwatches. And the market is growing.

By the end of 2024, there will be 224.31 million smartwatch users globally.
And in 2024, it is expected that 180 million smartwatches will be shipped.
The smartwatch market is projected to generate $47.94 billion in revenue. Worldwide, Apple holds 30% of the market. It is an impressive inroad into technology, and educators are becoming concerned as they see these devices as workarounds for confiscated cell phones.

Even though more and more schools have rules against students using cellphones during school hours, students will likely still break the rules and stay connected online with friends, parents, and social media sites.

There are many ways to circumvent cellphone rules. A smartwatch is a portable device that looks and feels like a wristwatch but is controlled by mobile apps and can connect to a personal device like a smartphone. Many school districts’ policies do not specifically name the devices, even though students use them increasingly. Understandably, the thought was that this would allow for more latitude in governing the use of technology in classrooms or the school environment — but it has not worked.

Some states are considering or have already passed laws limiting cellphone use in schools and have used language that includes more than just cellphones. For example, Indiana has a new law that says “any portable wireless device” cannot be used in class. Is a smartwatch considered a “wireless device” under this mandate? It would seem so, but how will they monitor it since smartwatches are also used as medical monitoring devices? Students can’t be limited in this way, can they? Wouldn’t it be a violation of their civil rights or medical needs?

For about 1,700 different types of generic devices, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set classifications and put them into 16 medical fields, which are called panels. There are three regulatory classes for these general types of devices. The classes are based on the amount of control needed to make sure the devices are safe and work well.

Smartwatches have been shown to help healthcare providers monitor what disorders or illnesses a person is suffering from. It has been shown that smartwatches can help in heart diseases, movement problems, and even early signs of COVID-19. Still, it is important to note that there is a discussion going on right now about how reliable smartwatch diagnoses are in healthcare. With children, the smartwatch may have additional benefits in terms of movement and behavior or serve as reminders to perform specific activities. These are deemed “self-care” items, but possibly not medical devices.

A small pilot study tested the usefulness and accuracy of using smartwatch tracking to predict behaviors. Researchers showed it is possible to monitor children with serious disruptive behaviors for seven days straight using smartwatches. Foreseeable biomarkers of behaviors were identified using machine learning, but further research is needed. But what of the market reach of these smartwatches, no matter their diagnostic or illness-related use?

Over the next few years, from 2023 to 2030, the children’s smartwatch market size is expected to grow at a fast compound annual growth rate. The market is growing because more and more people worldwide want kids’ smartwatches for their homes, schools, outdoor activities, and other places.

In 2024, the world market for kids’ smartwatches was worth USD 1070.97 Million. The market is expected to be worth around USD 138.7 billion by 2033, from USD 39.1 billion.

According to the most current data from the Pew Research Center, only 13% of teens owned a smartwatch in 2021. But teens and young adults seem to be increasingly using the devices, according to teachers and companies that track market trends on how people use electronics. For example, Counterpoint Research recently said that the market for smartwatches aimed at children will grow by more than 10% each year. This means that a lot more smartwatches will end up on the arms of kids.

Now, school administrators and parents will begin to assess what technology is needed for children, when it is appropriate, and what should serve as guidance for all on this issue. If smartwatches monitor medical needs, obviously, some accommodation needs to be made for this, and an across-the-board rule that they cannot be used in school is untenable.