2 Stage Two Exploring Safely · Ages 8–14

Independence they can wear.

Your kid is ready to roam. GPS and calling with approved contacts mean you always know where they are, phone not required.

Shop this stage →

Your child practices responsibility, and you worry less.

Marco just turned nine and wants to ride his bike to his friend Tyler’s house. Maria and Diego trust him. He’s responsible and follows the rules, but they worry about what could happen if he gets lost or there’s an emergency.

A smartphone felt like too much, so they chose a Pinwheel Watch: no games, GPS on, a safelist of only family and close friends.

Marco thinks the watch is extremely cool. He remembers to keeps it charged and sends updates. So Maria doesn't have to refresh the map every few minutes anymore.

Maria and Diego realized the watch isn’t only about safety. It’s also about practice.

📍 "Where is he?"

💬 "Going to the skate park"

📱 "OK. Get home by 5"

The Pinwheel Caregiver Portal app supports watches and phones with the same appropriate settings.

At the Exploring Safely stage, you need location tracking and communication options, whether you choose a watch or a phone. Add limited green-level apps (like games) as your child is ready.

Caregiver app · what's on at Stage 2 You unlock more as they grow →

GPS location On

Safelisted calls + texts On

Time limits & schedules On

Green-level apps (limited) On

Off overnight On

Social media & web browser Off

Use the Caregiver Portal with an appropriate device

Recommended devices for this stage.

When your child is going places without you, stay in touch with a watch or a phone with the same Caregiver Portal settings.

Best fit

Kids smartwatch

Pinwheel Watch

$129 Shop →

Good Fit

Starter phone

Pinwheel Phone

from $119 Shop →

↻ Pinwheel watches and phones can run this exact Stage 2 setup — switch devices, keep the configuration.

Readiness

Signs your kid is ready for Stage 2

You know your child best and they may not fit neatly into a stage. They may be ready for a Stage 2 device if they:

Are ready to go places alone, like walking to school or biking to a friends house
Take responsibility for their belongings
Understand and follow family rules and boundaries

If your child is low on these readiness indicators, a watch might be a better fit. It offers fewer distractions and is harder to lose.

The Payoff

What Stage 2 builds.

Devices come and go. These are the habits and skills your kid carries into the next stage — and the rest of their life.

Safety

Knowing where they are when not at home, and knowing they can reach someone in an emergency.

For you

Responsibility

Learning to take responsibility for a mobile device, keeping it charged and in order.

For your kid

Technology Boundaries

Contact safelist means no strangers. No apps, or time limits on apps, reduce distractions.

For you

Communication

Practicing calling and texting etiquette.

For your kid

Frequently asked

Questions about Stage 2

Should I get a watch or a phone in Stage 2?

Check the readiness indicators. If this is your child's first mobile device, or their school does not allow phones, consider a watch. If your child is responsible enough to keep their device charged and not lose or break it, a starter phone could be an option.

Who can call or text them?

With all Pinwheel devices, only approved contacts can communicate with your child, whether phone or text. Similarly, your child can only call or text approved contacts.

If we start with a watch, can we transfer the number to a mobile phone later?

Absolutely! Pinwheel Watch numbers can be ported to any cellular carrier. If you move up to a Pinwheel phone, you can easily transfer contacts over too.

Does the watch have only preprogrammed text messages?

No. The watch has voice to text, and text to voice for listening to text messages. It also has a full (though very small) keyboard.

Is there a limited number of contacts?

No. Neither Pinwheel watch or phones have limits on numbers of contacts.