To prevent personal privacy from being leaked, how can children’s smart watches be used safely-

In recent years, many parents have turned to smartwatches for children that offer real-time location tracking and communication capabilities. However, these devices also pose potential risks related to privacy breaches. In March of this year, the “Guidelines for Personal Information and Rights Protection of Children’s Smartwatches” were officially released, providing guidance for parents concerned about privacy protection.

To better understand how to safeguard personal information while using these smartwatches, we invited He Haiyan, a lecturer at Chengdu University’s Law School and a researcher at the Sichuan Provincial Anti-Domestic Violence Knowledge Promotion Base, to share her insights.

**1. Protecting Personal Information When Using Smartwatches**

What exactly constitutes personal information? He Haiyan explains that both the Civil Code and the Personal Information Protection Law provide definitions. For instance, the Civil Code defines personal information as data that can be recorded electronically or in other forms, which can identify a specific individual on its own or in combination with other data. This includes names, birth dates, ID numbers, biometric data, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, health data, and location tracking information.

In simpler terms, personal information for children includes their names, genders, phone numbers, parents’ names, physical appearance, school details, and more.

So, how can parents ensure their children’s personal information is protected while using a smartwatch? He Haiyan advises them to choose reputable brands for smartwatches to mitigate the risk of data misuse.

Parents should teach their children not to lend their watches to others, avoid scanning unfamiliar QR codes, refrain from adding unknown contacts, and never share payment passwords or personal details with anyone.

During smartwatch use, parents should remind their kids to be cautious about games and links suggested by the device, as these may pose risks of encouraging unauthorized purchases or automatic charges.

Additionally, if a smartwatch is damaged, it should not be abandoned or carelessly discarded. In case of loss, it’s crucial to report it to the authorities immediately. If the smartwatch is rendered inoperable, it should be secured to prevent others from picking it up and accessing personal information. In the event of losing the device, parents should contact the police and suspend the SIM card to prevent misuse. It’s also advisable to set up and activate a PIN code to add an extra layer of security.

**2. Guiding Children Correctly: Parents Can Set Clear Rules**

He Haiyan suggests that parents can guide their children in several ways.

First, it’s important to respect children’s choices and allow them to explore and use the internet and their smartwatch. However, they should also understand that every choice comes with responsibilities. When selecting a smartwatch, parents should resist trends and opt for basic, practical models that primarily offer calling, voice messaging, and location tracking functions, thus minimizing unnecessary information exposure.

Second, establishing reasonable usage rules is essential. Before purchasing a smartwatch, parents should discuss guidelines with their children. For example, parents can set restrictions on usage during school hours to ensure that the device is turned off during classes and reactivated automatically after school. Additionally, outside of school, parents can limit usage to less than 15 minutes at a time and no more than an hour per day for non-educational purposes. Parents can also add important contacts to the device’s call whitelist to help screen out scam calls.

Lastly, it’s crucial to enhance education on internet and information safety. Through communication between home and school, relevant educational courses or activities can be introduced to help children understand both the benefits and risks of the internet, and learn about online safety and privacy protection. This will improve their digital literacy and equip them with the knowledge to use smartwatches responsibly, protect their eyesight, and safeguard their personal information. Parents should also avoid sharing their identification numbers, bank details, or payment passwords with their children, and should not link payment-enabled cards to their child’s smartwatch to prevent potential fraud.

— Coverage by Dai Zhuxin, West China Metropolis Daily-Cover News, Edited by Zhang Yanling.