Can Parents Require Co-Monitoring of Child’s Smartwatch Usage?

Smartwatches are becoming increasingly popular among children due to their communication features, fitness tracking capabilities, and entertainment options. However, these devices also present challenges for parents, particularly regarding screen time management, internet safety, and privacy concerns. In shared custody arrangements, parents may wish to establish guidelines around co-monitoring the child's smartwatch usage to ensure that both are equally involved in supervising the device’s functionality and content. This approach helps parents stay aligned on digital responsibilities and ensures that the child’s use of technology remains safe and appropriate.

How Co-Monitoring of Smartwatch Usage Can Be Implemented in Custody Agreements

• Setting Usage Limits: One of the most important aspects of co-monitoring is ensuring that both parents agree on the amount of time their child is allowed to spend using their smartwatch each day. For instance, they may establish limits for screen time, app usage, or messaging. Both parents should monitor and enforce these limits, adjusting them based on their child’s age, maturity, and overall screen time goals.
  Example: The custody agreement could specify that the child is allowed to use their smartwatch for a maximum of 1 hour a day, and both parents must monitor the watch to ensure this limit is not exceeded during their respective time with the child.
• Monitoring Messaging and Communication: Many smartwatches allow children to send and receive messages, which could lead to concerns about inappropriate content or unsolicited communication. Parents may wish to co-monitor the child's messaging apps to ensure they are only communicating with trusted contacts. This can include both active checks and setting up alerts for unusual activity.
  Example: The custody plan might state that both parents have access to the child’s messaging app, with agreed-upon guidelines for who the child can message (e.g., only family members or close friends). Each parent would be responsible for checking message logs during their custody period.
• Ensuring Privacy and Location Tracking: Some smartwatches come equipped with GPS features that allow parents to track the child’s location in real-time. While this can enhance safety, it also raises privacy concerns. A co-monitoring arrangement allows both parents to have visibility over the location tracking data and make decisions together about its usage, such as when it’s appropriate to monitor the child’s location and when to respect their privacy.
  Example: The custody agreement could outline that the smartwatch’s location tracking feature is only to be used during designated times, such as when the child is traveling between homes or participating in outdoor activities. Both parents would have equal access to location data and agree to limit tracking to ensure the child’s privacy is not compromised.
• Ensuring Age-Appropriate Content: Smartwatches for children often come with entertainment and educational apps, but some apps may not be appropriate for the child’s age. Co-monitoring ensures that both parents have control over which apps are allowed on the child’s device. They can also set age-appropriate restrictions on the content the child can access.
  Example: The custody agreement may include a clause where both parents approve the installation of any new apps on the smartwatch. Additionally, they can agree to restrict access to social media platforms, gaming apps, or content that could expose the child to inappropriate material.
• Parental Control Features: Many smartwatches for children come with built-in parental controls that allow parents to limit features like messaging, calling, and internet access. These controls can help ensure that the child is only using the watch for the intended purposes, such as fitness tracking or communicating with family members. Co-monitoring ensures that both parents can make decisions regarding these controls and adjust settings as needed.
  Example: The custody plan could specify that the child’s smartwatch will have parental control settings enabled at all times. Both parents will have access to these settings and work together to update them when necessary (e.g., adjusting contact lists or restricting internet access).

Benefits of Co-Monitoring Smartwatch Usage in Custody Agreements

• Enhanced Communication Between Parents: Co-monitoring encourages regular communication between parents about the child’s use of technology. This creates a shared responsibility for ensuring the child’s safety and well-being, helping prevent misunderstandings or conflicts.
• Ensures Consistency Across Households: A consistent approach to monitoring the smartwatch usage across both households ensures that the child follows the same rules in both environments. This reduces confusion for the child and helps establish clear expectations about their device usage.
• Improved Safety and Security: Co-monitoring ensures that both parents are actively involved in overseeing the child’s communication and digital interactions, minimizing the risk of inappropriate contact or content. It also ensures that both parents are aware of the child’s location, providing a sense of security, especially when the child is away from home.
• Better Control Over Screen Time: With two parents monitoring the device, it’s easier to regulate the amount of screen time the child receives. This helps prevent overuse of the smartwatch, allowing the child to enjoy technology without excessive screen exposure.
• Encourages Responsible Technology Use: When both parents are involved in monitoring the child’s smartwatch usage, it reinforces the idea of shared responsibility and digital mindfulness. The child learns that their technology usage is not only a privilege but also something that requires responsibility and balance.

Challenges and Considerations

• Potential for Over-Controlling: While co-monitoring can be beneficial, it’s important that the monitoring process doesn’t become overly invasive. The goal should be to ensure safety and responsible usage, not to excessively control the child’s actions. Parents should balance supervision with respect for the child’s privacy and autonomy.
  Solution: The custody agreement can specify boundaries on monitoring and allow for flexibility in how often both parents check the smartwatch. For example, parents can agree on periodic checks rather than constant surveillance.
• Disagreements Between Parents: Different parenting styles and opinions about technology use can lead to disagreements about how much monitoring is appropriate. One parent might feel that co-monitoring is essential, while the other may feel it’s too intrusive.
  Solution: The custody plan should establish clear and agreed-upon guidelines for monitoring that both parents can discuss and revisit as needed. This ensures both parents have a voice in decisions while maintaining the child’s safety.
• Technical Limitations: Some smartwatches may have features that are difficult to monitor, especially if the device is not equipped with the necessary parental control options. In these cases, co-monitoring may be more challenging, and the parents may need to adjust their expectations accordingly.
  Solution: The parents could agree on a technology solution that allows for easier monitoring or agree to update the smartwatch if necessary to include better monitoring features.

Example

• Background: Sarah and John are co-parents who share custody of their 12-year-old daughter, Mia. They’ve recently purchased a smartwatch for Mia to stay in touch with them and track her activities. Both Sarah and John want to ensure Mia’s safety while using the device and decide to co-monitor her smartwatch usage to ensure that she isn’t exposed to inappropriate content or messaging.
• Agreed-upon Custody Guidelines:
• Usage Time: Mia can use her smartwatch for a maximum of 1 hour per day. Both Sarah and John will monitor her screen time by checking the device’s usage logs.
• Messaging and Communication: Mia is allowed to send messages to her parents and close family members only. Both parents have access to the message logs and will check them regularly to ensure no inappropriate communication occurs.
• Location Tracking: The smartwatch’s location tracking feature will only be used during designated times, such as when Mia is traveling between their homes or attending extracurricular activities. Both parents have access to the tracking data and will agree on when it’s necessary to track her location.
• App Approval: Any new apps that Mia wants to install on her smartwatch must be approved by both parents. They will work together to ensure the apps are age-appropriate and align with their shared values.
• Outcome: By co-monitoring Mia’s smartwatch usage, Sarah and John ensure that Mia can enjoy the benefits of the device without compromising her safety, privacy, or screen time limits. They maintain open communication about the device’s usage and are both actively involved in her digital well-being.

Conclusion

Co-monitoring a child’s smartwatch usage can be a valuable strategy in a custody agreement to ensure the child’s safety, responsible technology use, and adherence to parental guidelines. By collaborating, both parents can ensure that their child’s use of digital devices is balanced and appropriate while promoting healthy communication and shared responsibility.