watchOS 7 to Include Kids Mode That Shifts Focus of Activity Rings Away From Calories Burned - MacRumors
Skip to Content

watchOS 7 to Include Kids Mode That Shifts Focus of Activity Rings Away From Calories Burned

by

Apple's upcoming watchOS 7 update is expected to include a Kids Mode that's aimed at children who have an Apple Watch for activity tracking purposes, with parents able to control and manage their children's devices.

applewatchactivityrings
According to code found in iOS 14 by 9to5Mac, when placed in Kids Mode, an Apple Watch will have different Activity Ring labels and goals than an Apple Watch in a normal adult mode.

While adults see Activity Rings for active calories burned (red), minutes exercised (green), and hours with standing movement (blue), an Apple Watch in Kids Mode will not focus on calories burned.

Instead, the red Activity Ring will track move time alongside exercise time and hours spent with some stand activity. So, for example, the Apple Watch will track a movement goal of 90 minutes instead of 500 active calories burned, providing children with a healthy target to achieve that does not focus on body image.

The new Kids Mode, which will include parental controls limiting access to certain Apple Watch features during school hours, is expected to be included in the watchOS 7 and iOS 14 updates.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Tag: 9to5Mac
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
Related Forum: iOS 14

Top Rated Comments

Small White Car Avatar
Small White Car
79 months ago

WOW, just wow! How does failing a 'calories burned' goal hurt more than failing a 'movement' goal.

Please include a participation trophy, each day, just for putting your watch on... even if you didn't.
Having kids focus on diet and calories is a fast track towards developing eating disorders which, of course, can lead to either anorexia or over-eating, neither of which is healthy.

In other words, this change is targeted at making children healthier and developing good eating habits for the rest of their lives.

And yet both of the first replies to this article thinks that’s a bad idea!

Incredible.
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheDailyApple Avatar
TheDailyApple
79 months ago
I’d like the option to shift focus away from calories for adults as well, not everyone needs to lose weight. I’d like to be able to shift focus to cardio and fitness training.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A
alphaswift
79 months ago
People buy Apple Watches for their kids? Nice. Anyone want to adopt me?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
K
KrisLord
79 months ago
I’m hoping this means it doesn’t need to be connected to a child’s iPhone.

I would get my daughter an Apple Watch before I got her an iPhone.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
J
Joniz
79 months ago
The movement away from calories with kids is a good idea because, I don’t know how many of y’all actually have kids, but they don’t think in terms of calories.

It’s Run! Run! Run! Play! Play! Play!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
J
Joniz
79 months ago

Not at all, I think helping children lead healthier lives is a great and noble cause. Changing language in order to sugar coat their lives and protect their tender sensibilities is not helpful.
Really? I don't see any reference in the article to anything regarding sugar coating their lives and protecting their tender sensibilities. Can you point it out?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments