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It’s undeniable that children are the future of society and with technology growing at an exponential rate, more and more products are being aimed at younger consumers.
As a result, children are arguably more tech savvy than their parents from an earlier age.
The latest example of this trend is a new smartwatch for kindergarten children, which includes an on-board video and stills camera, voice recorder and a connection to a home computer to download images and sound. There is also a motion sensor, three built-in video games, an alarm clock, timer and stopwatch
The Vtech Kidizoom smartwatch is controlled through a 1.4-inch touchscreen, while the software allows children to edit and manipulate the captured images.
The watch, which costs BD25, also tells the time with users able to switch between analogue display or digital numbers.
A range of tech companies are putting wearable technology at the top of their list for new products this year.
Samsung has launched its Galaxy Gear watch and Sony has its own smartwatch, while Apple is expected to launch its iWatch soon.
The VTech watch means that five-year-olds could join the wearable technology revolution even before their parents.
The company has a track record of bringing technology to toddlers. Last year it launched the ‘iPad for babies’, a tablet designed for youngsters aged 12 months and up.
Vtech’s Charlotte Johnson said: “We know that firms like Samsung and Sony have already created smartwatches for adults, but we want children to be able play their part in the development of this technology.
“This is about using technology to improve and enhance a simple product like a watch. It will help develop skills that will become important in the future.”
She said the watches are robust enough to cope with being bumped and bashed, while she believes children will be happy to wear them to school.
Toy manufacturers are being forced to adapt their products to try and ensure children do not defect to computer games and consoles like the Xbox and PlayStation.
