Wearable tech aims to tackle child screen addiction

Designed for over-eights, Ace motivates the owner with customisable step, active minutes and sleep goals, celebratory messages and badges, and challenges for the whole family. 
With an adjustable, showerproof wristband available in two colours and up to 5 days’ battery life, Ace is designed to keep pace with children’s lives. With Ace, parents are in control and can manage who their children connect with and what information they see in the Fitbit app that will best motivate them. 
With childhood obesity rates rising and two in three children inactive every day, parents are looking for ways to encourage a more healthy, active lifestyle. According to a Fitbit study, 58 per cent of parents cite screen time as a challenge in getting children to be active. 
Seventy-five per cent of parents said they are interested in the use of fitness trackers to encourage activity. 
“Fitbit Ace opens up a direct line of communication across the family to help parents and their children understand how physical activity impacts overall well-being and health,” said Dr Ryan Rhodes, director of behavioural medicine at the University of Victoria, and member of the Fitbit advisory panel. “When parents have insight into their kids’ activity, they are better positioned to then promote less screen-time and more physical activity in a fun and motivating way.”