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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Should I buy my daughter an Apple Watch?

20 replies

Bruce1966 · 28/09/2019 08:07

My daughter is 12 today and I promised her an Apple Watch as a birthday present and as a reward for doing well in her exams. But yesterday when she went out with a small group of her friends and when I picked her up from school, I didn’t see anyone wearing an Apple Watch. I’m worried it’ll make her stand out as spoilt and as a target. However, I promised. What should I do?

OP posts:

thebear1 · 28/09/2019 08:09

My DS is in year 7 and the school doesn't allow any smart watches, not even fit bits. Probably worth checking policy at school.

Yeahnahyeah1 · 28/09/2019 08:11

Like you say, you promised. It’d be really shit if you didn’t not just because her friends don’t have one (are you also 12?)

Bigregrets19 · 28/09/2019 08:12

Just because they didn't have it on at the time doesn't mean they haven't got one.
Or they may not but she doesn't have to have what everyone else does.
And you've promised her.

My younger sis was very into fashion, tech make. Up when many of her friends wernt, she was never singled out. I think she'll be fine

ForalltheSaints · 28/09/2019 08:13

It is unfortunate that you made this promise. Could it be something not taken to school?

Personally I think they are a waste of money, but presumably the OP differs in their view.

Bunnybigears · 28/09/2019 08:13

You promised, why would you go back on it because her friends weren't wearing them? My DS bought himself a second hand apple watch when he was 10 or 11 he doesnt wear it now because the novelty has worn off and he cant wear it in school. Maybe her friends are the same.

LeekMunchingSheepShagger · 28/09/2019 08:14

Massive waste of money for a 12 year old. Is she even allowed to wear it to school?

WaterSheep · 28/09/2019 08:14

Personally I think it would be a ridiculous amount of money to spend on a 12 year old.

I would check if she would be allowed to wear it for school, as quite a few near me don't allow wearable technology.

SciFiScream · 28/09/2019 08:15

Dose she have an Apple phone? Unless you buy one of the super expensive new ones she'll need the phone too.

It's a brilliant watch if you are into tech and gadgets.

Buy second hand. That's how I got mine and I've loved it. I'm planning to upgrade and give my old one to my son (13)

RingtheBells · 28/09/2019 08:17

I think if she can’t wear it at school and it sounds like she can’t it will be a bit pointless as she won’t get the correct daily targets on the 3 exercise rings, she will have big chunks missing. I have one and you really need to wear it all day to get the best out of it

Clangus00 · 28/09/2019 08:18

A promise is a promise. I don’t see why a 12 year old needs an Apple Watch, but that’s none of my business

Soontobe60 · 28/09/2019 08:26

I think YABU in considering buying her a £400+ gadget that she may lose, may make her a target for theft, may break or may just become fed up of! All because she did well in end of year exams and is 12! What will you get her if she gets 10 GCSEs at 16? A brand new car?

The motivation for doing well in exams should be intrinsic. What if she had a sibling who for reasons beyond their control couldn't do well in exams?
Yes, reward her for effort maybe with a family meal out. But you're spending far too much on a non significant birthday.

Bruce1966 · 28/09/2019 09:08

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

DoubtingMyPatience · 28/09/2019 09:15

Even at 23 I bought one, wore it for approximately a week before the novelty wore off me and I sold it. Was such a waste of money.

What even is the point in an Apple Watch? I found them too bulky on my wrist, and from habit over the last how many years.. I still check my phone for the time. I don’t think I lifted my arm to check the time once.

Another point is, does she even have an iPhone to connect it to?
Is she massively into sports and fitness? Because otherwise it is pretty useless to her

MaryBerrysBomberJacket · 28/09/2019 09:18

A child at school does not need a smart watch. They are not allowed at my high school and i would confiscate it for parebtal collection. If someone stole it we are not responsible in the slightest, same with phones.

Allthewhite · 28/09/2019 09:46

Speaking from experience I wouldn’t. My DH bought one for my very responsible 14 year old DD. She accidentally dropped it on our kitchen floor and the screen immediately cracked. It can’t be repaired and I’ve tried Apple plus a few independent outlets to no avail. Apple shop told me they are quite fragile and they cannot replace screens. Definite no from me for a 12 year old.

Aragog · 28/09/2019 09:58

She's 12y not a little child. Old enough to look after it. Lots of children have expensive phones, can't see why the watch is much different.
Every school round here allows smart watches. Only time they can't is for exams, but then many schools are now banning ANY watch at all as not all smart watches are obvious.

I have an Apple watch and really like it. Had the original first, but dh bought me the new one for my birthday. Old one was still going strong though and I sold it for a fair amount. Teen dd has one too, having had cheaper fit bits in last but the straps in those always break.

Both dd and I have tiny wrists but the smaller watch fits fine, no issues at all.

What do I use it for?
Accessing messages and some emails in work hours (my phone is in a locked cupboard in my classroom - as it has a camera on it ) nut cans till get important messages - and respond if I need to.
Heart rate - I have SVT(well I actually had surgery this week to solve it but ...) and whilst waiting for recent tests it has been excellent for monitoring what's going on. Likewise with the ecg app. Been useful this last 2 days to see what's going on since treatment,
Sat nav - when walking in unfamiliar routes
Telling the time - obviously!
My calendar is in it - I move to different lessons throughout the day which change each week - and my watch always tells me where I am next and what is coming up. Plus reminders for important meetings, etc.
Telephone - when I don't have my phone handy I can see who has called me. If I'm not teaching I can actually answer it and speak to people
Payment - has Apple Pay on
When travelling - boarding pass, some qr codes for some hotels, etc. All on my wrist
Weather/news
Music - controlling tracks etc esp when excising
Health app - when exercising

Does she have an iPhone? If not, I'd not get the Apple Watch but if she does I can't see the issue.

Aragog · 28/09/2019 09:59

Allthewhite - id say generally the screens are fairly robust. As said above I've had one for years and I'm a fairly clumsy person. My original one didn't have a mark on it when I sold it earlier this year despite daily wear for a few years. You can also get screen protectors for them If you are worried.

MonChatEstMagnifique · 28/09/2019 10:08

If it's what she wants and you were willing to buy it, I'm not really sure it matters if her friends have one or not. They may have one and just not been wearing theirs when you saw them. I don't think she'll look spoilt, even if her friends don't have one, other kids will have one and maybe expensive phones, coats, trainers, bags etc.

RingtheBells · 28/09/2019 10:12

If you do get one I would probably get the series 3 which is now about £200, cheaper if you buy it from one of the sellers on eBay when there is an offer code on, places like Argos, AO and Curry’s are all on eBay.

Original poster

Bruce1966 · 05/10/2019 11:35

Thank you. The amount wasn’t really an issue since we had promised this and her uncle was sharing. In the end, however, we bought her a Fitbit and clothes to the equivalent value.

OP posts:

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