Google is gearing up to introduce a new feature called “School Time” on its Wear OS smartwatches for children with the latest Play Services v24.18 update. This feature, aimed at helping parents manage their children’s screen time, allows them to set app usage limits and silence the device during school hours to minimize distractions.
Similar to Apple’s Schooltime mode, this feature enables parents to establish multiple schedules throughout the day, specifying periods like 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and customizing the days of the week for these schedules to repeat.
The update, reported by 9to5Google, indicates that certain apps and watch face complications will be blocked during school hours, but temporary access to features like Activity Rings will still be available with a limited number of “unlocks.”
While it remains unclear whether all Wear OS smartwatches will support this feature or if it will be limited to newer models, the rollout has yet to reach devices.
Android Central reached out to Google for further details on the availability and compatibility of the School Time feature for Wear OS devices but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
As wearable technology becomes more prevalent among school-age children, tech giants like Google, Fitbit, and Apple are striving to ensure that these devices enhance rather than disrupt learning. Furthermore, reports suggest that Fitbit is developing a kids’ smartwatch with cellular and GPS capabilities, under a project dubbed Project Eleven, aimed at facilitating parental monitoring and communication with their children.
