TickTalk Named a Best Kid-Safe Wearable Tech Brand for 2026

TickTalk has been named a Best Kid-Safe Wearable Tech Brand in the Scary Mommy 2026 Readers' Choice Awards. The winners were chosen by Scary Mommy readers, and we're grateful to every parent who voted.

For us, this one matters more than most. TickTalk makes kids' smartwatches, so the people who vote are the people we build for: parents who want their kids connected without handing over a full smartphone. Being recognized by parents for kid-safe tech is the feedback we care about most.

Choosing a first connected device for your child is a big decision. Parents want to know their kids can call home, be found if plans change, and stay away from the open internet and social media until they're ready. Kid-safe wearable tech exists to solve exactly that problem, and a kids smartwatch has become one of the most popular ways to do it.

Every TickTalk smartwatch is designed with that decision in mind. Our goal has always been to give kids a little independence and give parents real peace of mind, and this recognition from Scary Mommy's readers tells us families are noticing.

Below, we cover what the award is, why kid-safe matters when choosing a smartwatch for your child, and what's next for TickTalk.

About the Scary Mommy Readers' Choice Awards

The Scary Mommy Readers' Choice Awards let readers vote for their favorite products and brands across parenting categories. The Best Kid-Safe Wearable Tech Brands category put 15 brands on the ballot, including TickTalk, Apple, Garmin, Fitbit, Samsung, Gabb, Bark, Xplora, Spacetalk, and others.

Scary Mommy is a well-known parenting media brand, and its Readers' Choice Awards are decided by the people who actually buy and use these products: parents. Voting for this category closed before the winners were announced, and results were published on the Scary Mommy site.

The Best Kid-Safe Wearable Tech Brands category is especially competitive because it puts kids' smartwatch and wearable makers alongside big consumer technology names. Brands on the ballot included TickTalk, Apple, Garmin, Fitbit, Samsung, Gabb, Bark, Xplora, Spacetalk, AngelSense, COSMO, littlebird, myFirst, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

We're proud to be part of that list, and prouder to be recognized by parents. Reader-voted awards reflect real family experience rather than spec sheets, which is why we value them.

You can see the full category on the Scary Mommy award page.

Why Parents Trust TickTalk Kid-Safe Smartwatches

TickTalk 6 is our newest kids GPS smartwatch, built for ages 3 to 12. It gives kids freedom and independence while parents keep visibility and control. Here is what that looks like:

  • Approved-contact calling and texting: Kids can make voice calls, send real SMS messages, and join in-app group chats with contacts a parent approves. Parents can also block unknown calls and messages from the parent app.
  • FaceTalk video calling: A 5 MP camera lets kids video call approved family and friends.
  • Real-time GPS: Parents can see where their child's day takes them, with Location History and AI SmartPin to help improve location accuracy at familiar places over time. Accuracy varies with GPS, Wi-Fi, cellular coverage, and environment.
  • SOS and 911 calling: Kids can press and hold the SOS button to reach their emergency contact, with parent-enabled 911 calling available (U.S. only). Safety and emergency features never replace adult supervision or a family emergency plan.
  • Parent App controls: Parents manage approved contacts, app user permissions, parent-managed DND / Focus, and call logs, all from the TickTalk App.
  • TickTalkie LTE Walkie-Talkie: Watch-to-watch push-to-talk works over LTE or Wi-Fi with approved TickTalk Watch Friends on TickTalk 5 and newer, so kids can chat with friends and family without a phone, wherever there's coverage.
  • Kid-friendly hardware: A 1.6-inch AMOLED display, IP68 water resistance (water-resistant, not waterproof), up to 135 hours of standby time (actual battery life varies with usage, settings, and network conditions), and a washable, stretch-fit comfort band.

That combination is why more families choose a kids smartwatch as a first step before a smartphone. Pricing for TickTalk 6 and TickTalk Wireless plans is available at myticktalk.com.

What Makes a Kid-Safe Wearable? A Parent's Checklist

A kid-safe wearable limits who can contact your child, shows you where they are, and keeps the open internet out of reach. Whichever brand you consider, ask these questions:

  1. Who can contact my child? Look for approved-contact lists that only the parent can edit.
  2. Can I see their location? Real-time GPS and location history add peace of mind, though accuracy can vary with device, network, and environment.
  3. Is there open web or social media access? Fewer distractions is safer.
  4. How is my child's data handled? Read the privacy policy and check what is collected and shared.
  5. Is it built for kids? Look for durable, water-resistant hardware and dependable battery life.
  6. Do I control the settings? The parent, not the child, should manage the account.

Thank You, Parents

Thank you to every parent who voted for TickTalk and to the Scary Mommy community for recognizing kid-safe wearable tech. We'll keep building smartwatches that help kids stay connected and help parents feel at ease.

FAQ

What award did TickTalk win? TickTalk was named a Best Kid-Safe Wearable Tech Brand in the Scary Mommy 2026 Readers' Choice Awards.

Who chooses the Scary Mommy Readers' Choice Award winners? Scary Mommy readers vote for the winners.

What is a kid-safe smartwatch? A kid-safe smartwatch lets children call and text approved contacts and lets parents see their location, without open internet or social media access.

What age is the TickTalk 6 right for? The TickTalk 6 is recommended for kids ages 3 to 12.

Where can I buy the TickTalk 6? TickTalk 6 is available at myticktalk.com.

0 commentson TickTalk Wins Scary Mommy 2026 Readers' Choice Award