December 18, 2024

Ask a Children’s Health Expert: Supporting Wellness with Wearable Technology

Learn how wearable tech can support whole-child health and well-being for kids.

Credit: Freepik

Wearable technology like fitness trackers designed for young users have become increasingly popular. For parents and caregivers, choosing the right tools to support their child’s health can feel overwhelming. These devices often come with features to track steps, encourage activity, or even reward wellness milestones. But, like all tools, their effectiveness depends on how they’re integrated into a child’s broader health journey. 

We spoke with Bethany Younkers, Director of Whole Child Health at Healthier Generation, about ways to use wearable tech thoughtfully and aligned with whole-child health principles.

Q: What are some of the opportunities and challenges for children’s health when using wearable technology?
Bethany Younkers, MPA

Bethany: Wearable tech can offer creative ways for kids to engage with physical activity and wellness goals, like receiving healthy reminders, participating in fun wellness challenges, and staying connected with parents. Some wearables include GPS tracking or communication options, which can give parents peace of mind and help kids feel more supported. These tools can make wellness activities — like moving more or practicing mindfulness — a fun part of the day, encouraging children to engage positively with their health.

When making a decision around if and how to use wearable technology, it's important to remember the long-term goal: to build lasting, self-motivated healthy habits. The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model, developed by the CDC and ASCD, emphasizes a whole-child approach to health by considering physical, social, and emotional wellness. Families can use wearable tech within this broader wellness framework to balance screen-free play, community engagement, and family time. Encouraging kids to play outside, explore nature, and connect with family and friends nurtures a well-rounded view of health that goes beyond trackable metrics.

Consider the purpose behind the device as well—whether it's to encourage physical activity, provide GPS tracking, or enable family check-ins. Having an open conversation with your child about both the benefits and limitations of wearable tech can help establish clear expectations. For further guidance, check out our 5 Tips to Encourage Healthy Wearable Technology Use for Kids, where we cover considerations like boundaries, privacy settings, and ways to make tech use a positive family experience.

Q2: What features should parents consider when choosing a wearable device for their child?

Bethany: When selecting a wearable for kids, prioritize devices that foster positive experiences over strict goal tracking. For example, some wearables include activities that encourage kids to learn something new, wash their hands properly, connect with family, check in with their feelings, or find fun in movement challenges—rather than focusing solely on physical activity metrics. Hydration reminders and activity prompts encourage kids to take care of their well-being without pressure. 

It’s also important for families to consider potential challenges like distractions, internet safety, and body image impacts of using these devices. Some wearables offer features like “school mode” or quiet hours, which help minimize interruptions, and parental controls for managing who can contact their child. 

It’s wise to avoid devices that were designed for adults to track metrics such as calories or weight, as these may shift the focus from enjoyment to self-critique. Instead, look for devices with a simple, child-friendly design that integrates wellness in a way that’s fun and balanced.

Q3: Healthier Generation has developed a collection of “daily quests” for a Fitbit kids’ wearable. How do these quests support whole-child wellness?

Bethany: We recently partnered with Fitbit to add more daily challenges to their smartwatch for kids. 

Example of daily quests.

These are messages created by our National Advisors — experts in areas like social-emotional learning, school climate, and physical activity — to make whole-child wellness fun, engaging, and accessible for kids. These challenges encourage a range of healthy habits and activities to help build lifelong skills in a positive, enjoyable way. For example, the quests include:

  •  Mindfulness and Emotional Well-Being: Kids can practice calming techniques like taking a “rainbow walk,” where they notice different colors along the way, or guided “feelings checks” that help them identify and express their emotions.
  • Healthy Routines: There are fun reminders for wellness basics, like hand-washing and pre-bedtime screen breaks, to encourage proper hygiene and restful sleep.
  • Seasonal and Cultural Awareness: Kids can explore seasonal activities, like trying a new outdoor game in the summer, or learning about special days like World Mental Health Day or Art Day.
  • Trivia and Learning Moments: Trivia challenges engage kids in learning with questions like, “What is the capital of California?” or “How many bones are in the human body?” These tasks make wellness educational and encourage curiosity about the world around them.

By making wellness activities enjoyable and varied, these quests encourage curiosity, resilience, and a positive approach to health. Rather than focusing on performance, they offer opportunities for kids to build a broad foundation of healthy habits that can grow with them. 

Q4: Healthy and appropriate use of technology for kids is a complex and evolving topic. Where can parents and caregivers go for guidance as they continue to navigate these decisions?

Bethany: Healthier Generation offers many resources to help parents and caregivers integrate technology thoughtfully into family life. You can explore our guides for screen breaks, digital well-being tips, and fun family activities that encourage both online and offline engagement. Here are a few to start with:

“By using wearables as supportive tools within a whole-child approach, parents and caregivers can help kids see wellness as something to enjoy, explore, and personalize — reinforcing that health is about how we feel, connect, and grow in our communities.”