If you don’t want to give your kid a smartphone, but you do want them to have a way to communicate as they become more independent, you have options.Along with our own tweens and teens, we’ve tested 23 smartwatches for kids. These gadgets have become increasingly popular as parents and caregivers weigh the benefits of delaying a child’s first smartphone. This increased scrutiny comes amid rising concerns — including a warning by the surgeon general in 2023 — that social media could harm the mental health and well-being of kids.Although we found that all smartwatches present some trade-offs, we have a couple to recommend. We also offer a guide to the best ways to track your kids (if you want to), the best parental controls, and the best first phones for kids.Listen inThe Wirecutter Show Episode 4: Is It Time to Get Your Kid a Phone?What you need to know before giving your kid a phone, plus the Wirecutter-tested trackers, smartwatches, and phones to consider.