Skip to main content

Fitbit is reportedly working on a game-changing wearable for kids

Fitbit and Google are reportedly working to develop a wearable for kids. According to an exclusive report from Business Insider, two employees familiar with the device, code-named Project Eleven — a reference to the character from Stranger Things — said it’s designed to “help older kids form healthy relationships with their phones and social media.”

The device would be equipped with safety features for parents, including cellular and GPS connectivity to allow them to contact and locate their kids without the need for a phone. Employees also said that Project Eleven was prototyped with and without a screen, and that new bands would be sent to them every month as part of a subscription service.

A Fitbit Charge 5 displaying the home screen on a wearer opening a door.
Yoona Wagener / Digital Trends

Anil Sabharwal, vice president of special projects of the Fitbit team based in Australia, is leading the development of Project Eleven. The wearable is scheduled to launch in 2024, but employees said that the launch window and plans for it are subject to change.

Recommended Videos

Last year, Fitbit was working on a smartphone designed for kids and older adults that would have had cellular connectivity and a camera, but it got killed due to the merger with Google, as well as technical and logistical issues. Meta attempted to develop the Facebook smartwatch, which was also designed with a camera, but the project got shelved this June for financial reasons.

The closest wearable for kids that Fitbit developed was the Ace 3, which encouraged kids ages 6 to 12 to engage in physical fitness, with the goal of hitting 60 daily active minutes and 250 steps per hour. It also prompted them to move around after sitting still for 50 minutes every hour, just like the Apple Watch.

A wearable that helps people with their phone and social media usage, let alone children, has not been seen in the market, and we hope it comes to fruition. Kids need to learn how to balance their digital lives and real lives, and not make the same online mistakes we made at their age — and even now as adults, given the drama going on with Twitter, Instagram, and other social media sites in the last few years.

Cristina Alexander
Gaming/Mobile Writer
Cristina Alexander is a gaming and mobile writer at Digital Trends. She blends fair coverage of games industry topics that…
OnePlus Nord 5 shows Samsung how to make the perfect Galaxy S25 FE
Rwar shell of the the OnePlus Nord 5.

About three weeks ago, a rather interesting phone landed at my doorstep. It was OnePlus’ latest budget pleaser, which neither falls in the “mid-tier” segment, nor sniffs too close to the flagship summit. Yet, the value it offers at an MSRP of around $400 redefines the whole concept of the class that we often refer to as “budget flagships.” 

The Samsung Galaxy Fan Edition phones are the quintessential definition of this honor, at least for the competition-starved US market. After using the OnePlus Nord 5, I’ve come to the realization that this is what a true Fan Edition phone should look like. One that delivers where it matters, without a confoundingly high price tag slapped on the box. I believe it's a recipe for Samsung to emulate for its next Fan Edition phone.

Read more
I’m excited for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but it could let us down in one area
Google's tipped to deny its most expensive phone a top spec
Someone holding the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, showing the back of the phone.

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold looks set to gain a number of significant upgrades over its predecessor including a larger display, smaller hinge, bigger battery, and improved dust resistance.

The Google Pixel 10 series is tipped to arrive in the coming months - possibly as soon as August - and we're expecting to see a quartet of new devices, including the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Read more
OnePlus 13 owners get a major new AI tool for free
Plus Mind is just the beginning of OnePlus' AI ecosystem
A person holding the OnePlus 13.

Owners of the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R smartphones are receiving a software update which includes a significant new AI feature.

OnePlus has started to roll out its Plus Mind AI tool to 13 and 13R handsets around the world, giving users the ability to receive intelligently suggesting actions while also storing the information for you to search through at a later date.

Read more