Versa 4 and 13 year old

[Gadgetgirl7]

We got our 13 year old son a Fitbit Versa 4 for Christmas, except when setting it up, the only option we have is to add an Ace.

He is 13 and we have switched his google account to have control himself so we no longer control his device on Family Link.

How do we sort this out?? I've spent an hour going round in circles trying to so this.

I have a versa 3 and had no issue setting it up, hence we also got him a fitbit. 

 

[hansontj]

I feel for you. My son is 16 but still in our family plan. We got him a Versa 4 and it was a nightmare for an hour struggling until we figured out its not even possible. I'm pissed and just wish i could take it back but the packaging is destroyed. Thanks FITBIT your account management sucks.

[JoseTortola]

I have the same problem but with an Inspire 3.

In the Family Link parental control settings for a 12 year old's account you can choose, for example, if you want to allow them to use games and apps for +16 years old or even access X videos from their phone. These are all options that Google gives you in Family Link. However, I can't give him permission to use a Fitbit activity wristband except an Ace 3. I can't allow him to use a Charge 6 or an Inspire 3 because "they're not for kids", when all those wristbands do is have an online data dashboard.

Well, I would sincerely appreciate it if, in order to comply with the legislation on data protection of a minor on the internet, Google and Fitbit would give me the option that a minor can use the bracelet I want and block access to that data on the internet instead of directly preventing me from using a bracelet that, by the way, is not clearly outlined on its official website a warning that would be totally necessary (and legally actionable) of "product not valid for children under 13 years".

All the other members of the family currently use other Fitbit products such as Charge 5 and 6, but in view of such nonsense, if Google and Fitbit do not offer us a solution to this problem we will all switch to another brand where we can be ALL members of the family with the product we want, where the control of the privacy of children is a PARENT'S BUSINESS, and we will never again even consider a product and service as disastrous as Google and Fitbit.

[Gadgetgirl7]

At 13 they become responsible for their own Google account so I can't even change things in the Family Link.

The Ace watches are for kids age 6 to 12 so he didn't want one of those! He is 13 and wants to connect a smart watch to his phone.

I've even tried changing his Google account age to 18 but for some reason it still thinks he is a child!!!

I NEED to sort it out as it was pretty much his only Christmas present and I can't take it back now.

No where does it say it is only for adults! And Google make it clear that 13 year olds control their own accounts.

So annoyed at the moment.

I tried the chat and they said it's an adult watch. I said it doesn't say that and their Ace is only for kids and he is too old for that. They said they'd email me when they have a solution so I'm awaiting their email...

[JoseTortola]

It doesn't matter if they say in the support chat that it is "an adult-only product". In my case, with the Inspire 3, I can check the entire product website and there is not even the slightest reference to a minimum age requirement for buying or using the product. And I bought from the official Fitbit website, so they are solely responsible for the product description. 

They sell products that block by software for use in supervised accounts and without clearly visible legal warnings on the product page. What is specified exclusively on the help pages and not on the product page and other things like the EULA are not validly legal as they are not required to make the purchase, by the way.

But it is not worth taking legal action against them, even if we have plenty of reasons, because in reality there are so many other options of activity bracelets on the market that it is best to return the purchase or sell it second hand on the internet and go the whole family to a brand of activity bracelets that complies with the law and that provides an adequate service for the whole family.

I'm sure Fitbit would be perfectly capable of finding other ways to do bad marketing on their products, but probably no other option would be just as effective at damaging their brand as disappointing so many children and families with their Christmas gifts.

[Gadgetgirl7]

It's working! Finally!

I removed my son from the Family Link (as its not much use once they turn 13) and found the email Google sent him on his 13th Birthday saying he could take control of his own google account and clicked the link and followed the instructions. This morning it accepted his age and asked me to update the FitBit app.

Once it had updated then the option appeared to install other devices so his Versa 4 is now up and running! Yay!

(I have a Versa 3 and really like it hence we got him a FitBit too).

There just seemed to be a 24 hour time delay between taking ownership of his Google account and FitBit allowing the change.

[zyla999]

So there is hope ... I wasted a whole day trying to set one up for my son who recently turned 13.  I removed him from the Parental Control app and, out of desperation, removed him as my family member in the Google account, which you can only change once every 12 months.  It is SO frustrating to set this up. I will wait another 24 hrs and hopefully, his Versa 4 will show up.

[Gadgetgirl7]

Make sure you find the email regarding taking control of their own Google account, click the link and follow all the instructions. It would have been sent on their 13th birthday.

My son had opened the email but not gone through the whole procedure.