Fitbit for Children Causes BodyImage Issues

I think it depends on a lot of factors. I think at 5 they are just going to think it’s cool to know how many steps they’ve taken. If they get obsessed with it, it could turn into a monster. I have a nephew who has always been into all kinds of tech gadgets and doesn’t care about fitness. I don’t think I’ve ever met a child under 12ish that cared about their weight or fitness really. I think if it is used as a tool to put a kid down… like saying they aren’t walking enough it could lead to feelings of resentment or inadequacy. I would say depends on the kid and how it is used.

It never occurred to me. My kids like tracking their steps and never made a connection to how it affects their body. They are 11 and 9 and have been using a tracker on and off for 2-3 years. Maybe as they grow into teens it will matter more?

A fitbit or something in its likeness won't cause a problem because the child doesn't know yet what most people use those items for. However, I would not go as far to say that an obsession over weight and body image cannot happen at such a young age.

I was obsessed over taking control over that part of my life in grade school as early as I can remember (before the age of 12). No gadget created my obsession and no one else in my family could even relate or noticed, they were exactly the opposite. My obsession was not even conscious to begin with, and later became something I was more aware of as I grew older and learned what I was doing. I wasn't helped as a child with those habits.

I say this, only because you may want to be upfront and let your child know that some people use a fitbit for tracking their every day fitness, while others use it just for fun. Kids can be unpredictable in what they learn from their peers, and one child may have see or know someone who tracks everything like a ritual and obsesses over their own journey. Let your child know that just because other people may be like that, their fitbit is just for fun.

My son's school does challenges like a 100 mile club, kids get rewards for walking 100 miles throughout the school year. He easily does 100 miles or more in a month or so. He loves to see how many miles he is getting and eventually wants to do track. He eats like a horse and we don't restrict food but try to make sure our meals are balanced. He is 6 and hasn't had any issues now. I think it depends how parents are talking to their kids about it and what emphasis they place on exercise and nutrition.

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