Samsung has dropped some exciting wearable tech news ahead of its much-anticipated Unpacked event: the Galaxy Watch7 now offers a kid-friendly mode. This update transforms the smartwatch into a versatile device for children, giving parents peace of mind while offering kids a taste of tech independence.

The new Galaxy Watch for Kids mode allows children to call and text trusted contacts while enabling parents to track their child’s location using GPS. Starting today, the feature will roll out for devices on Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T networks. This isn’t just a fancy gadget for kids—it’s designed to keep families connected and kids safe.

What sets this apart? Parents don’t need to buy a separate smartphone for their children. Samsung’s setup is similar to Apple’s Family Setup, letting parents pair and configure the watch through their own phone. They can program various guardrails using the Google Family Link app, such as:

• Managing which apps can be downloaded.
• Locating lost watches.
• Defining trusted contacts for communication.

The watch also includes an emergency SOS feature. In pressing situations, children can activate this by pressing the side button five times. Additionally, a School Time mode helps limit distractions during class hours, allowing parents to customize features for different times of the day.

Kids can access up to 20 “teacher-approved” apps and watchfaces from the kids’ section of the Google Play store. These include familiar themes and brands like Barbie, Marvel, and Rubik’s Cube, alongside educational games from PBS Kids and Crayola. While other third-party apps are available, they require parental approval before downloading.

This feature isn’t entirely new to the smartwatch market. Apple pioneered similar capabilities with Family Setup for its Apple Watch in 2020. Google joined the race last year with the Fitbit Ace LTE, which focused on GPS tracking and educational gaming for kids. Now, Samsung is stepping up to meet the growing demand from parents on forums and community boards who have long requested a more streamlined solution for their children.

Until now, setting up a Galaxy Watch as a standalone device for kids was possible but complicated. Parents had to navigate a maze of location tracking, phone configurations, and app management—often requiring a degree of tech expertise. Samsung’s new mode simplifies this process and integrates it into a user-friendly package. However, the feature is exclusive to the Galaxy Watch7, meaning earlier models won’t benefit from the update.