Digital safety initiatives target childhood technology use

Efforts to manage children's digital exposure are manifesting through both new hardware and regional social initiatives.

Tech firm Cosmo has introduced the JrTrack Pro, a smartwatch designed for children aged 6 to 12. The device aims to provide a middle ground between full smartphone access and total disconnection by offering GPS tracking, calls, and text messaging without internet browsers or open applications. The watch features an AMOLED touchscreen, a 5-megapixel camera for video calls, and 3ATM water resistance. It utilizes the HaloGPS system to facilitate real-time location tracking.

In Spain, the Diputación de Sevilla has launched ‘Guardiam’, a project aimed at promoting the responsible use of information and communication technologies among youth. The initiative responds to concerns regarding the mental health impacts of compulsive screen use, social isolation, and cyberbullying. The program seeks to support families, educators, and local governments, particularly in municipalities with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants, to balance technological innovation with the protection of minors.