It ’s a sad fact that Americans are n’t get any intelligent . So it ’s not really a surprisal that Fitbit has createdthe Ace , a youngster ’ activity tracker that could aid parents combat puerility fleshiness . That said , the idea that parent should be interject one more gadget into their kids ’ animation still seems a bit weird .
Designed for small fry ages eight and up , Fitbit ’s first natural process tracker for kids ( which seems to just be a revampedFitbit Alta ) looks to solve both the issue of the shitty security you get in most kid - well-disposed habiliment , while also have parent a instrument to avail keep track of their children ’s exercise .
On the security front , the Ace was create to be compliant with COPPA ( Children ’s Online Privacy Protection Act ) and other law to assure that stranger ca n’t commandeer the equipment ’s data , while also forestall kid from befriending the improper people and forefend data point overload by limiting what kind of info child can see .
This all seems reasonably squeamish , and with a splash - proof body and a claim five Day of barrage fire spirit , the Ace seems like it should be able-bodied to stand firm the kind of pounding child will in all probability give it . However , I ’ve still catch to enquire if this matter wo n’t push thing too far in the other charge , giving helicopter parents just one more way to be even more haughty while also stool kids even more absorbed in technical school .
Fitbit pronounce the Ace can be program to prompt minor to rack up 250 footprint every hour . But what happens when that reminder pops up while kids are at school ? Or what about kids so focused on complete step challenges that they inadvertently walk too far away from home ?
Even Fitbit seems to tacitly acknowledge the Ace ’s potential for misuse , because while the machine can cut across stone’s throw , it wo n’t calculate calories burned . Look , I ’m not saying technical school ca n’t have a role in keeping kids sizable , but there ’s something about the idea of give chase your kids in such a heavy - handed way that just does n’t baby-sit powerful .
My colleague Alex Cranz has already verbalize about how buying a Fitbit for a loved one could bea big mistake . Buying one for a Kyd might be even worse .
But if you are a truster and willing to experiment on your fry , the Fitbit Ace is available now to preorder $ 100 in blueish or purple . Fitbit ’s site says it ’ll ship to client “ in recent May . ”
activeness trackersConsumer TechFitbit
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