Why does Fitbit limit children to the Ace device only?

[BigDannyslde]

I upgraded my Charge 2 and gave it to my son, but Fitbit will not let me set it up under a child account. I know about "federal regulations don't permit children to create accounts", but that does not tell me why my son can't use my old Charge 2! Do Fitbit employees even look at any posts on this forum?

[Odyssey13]

Hi @BigDannyslde  yes, Fitbit employees, called moderators, do look at these posts, but this is a community forum, where members help members.

 Due to laws across the world, children are prohibited from having an online account and using these devices. The Ace series was made especially to allow children six and up to use these services. Fitbit is abiding by those laws, so your son can't use the Charge 2 unless you lie about the age. Lying about the age would create a problem since the algorithms are made based on gender, age, height and weight. So that would give completely wrong data for your child. The age is the USA is 13 and the age in the European Union is 16. You didn't say how old your son was, but if you want to use the CHarge 2 for him, your only way to do so is to lie about the age.

[BigDannyslde]

The posts i see merge two different issues. I can understand a law that says a child cannot have an online account (meant for an adult) before a certain age, but are you saying that international law states that it is against the law for a child to use a Charge series Fitbit?

[Odyssey13]

@BigDannyslde  check the Fitbit Terms of Service and the laws for wherever you live. I'm in the USA and the law here is called COPPA, The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. It's entirely your decision if you wish to lie about your son's age in order for him to use your unwanted Fitbit.

[BigDannyslde]

I don't want to open a bogus account, I WOULD like Fitbit to say, either one of two things... 1. We decided we only want children under the age of 13 to have the Ace line of trackers, or 2. The data we obtain from every other line of trackers we sell would violate COPPA laws and compromise the personal data of a child under 13.

[BigDannyslde]

i believe I might have found an answer that is more in line with my original question. This is from a review site (Digital Trends). "Unlike Fitbit’s adult trackers that send data to Strava and other services, data will stay within the Fitbit app. Like the original Ace, the Ace 2 is compliant with all child privacy laws." I think this answers my question... It looks like every other tracker Fitbit makes sends data that violates child data privacy laws.

[Uuz]

It is a shame Fitbit did not solve this problem. Apple watch did, they allow you set up a encrypted family account. Within the account, your children can give you permission to view their personal data. Maybe Fitbit can have a look at that?

[LiliyaFitbit]

It’s good to see you in the community, @Uuz.

Thank you for joining the thread and sharing your feedback and suggestion. I understand how you are feeling about this situation. To share additional feedback or if you want the features to be improved, feel free to visit our Feature suggestion board. Here our product development teams consult regularly to ensure we're delivering on what our customers need and want. You can read the FAQ to better understand how that board works and do a search first, in case someone else has already suggested your idea, or something similar.

See you around.

[MikeS1974]

I completely agree with you. It drives me nuts that the only device that the kids are allowed to use is the Ace. I find it funnier that they say it's for age of six and up but the watch face is so small it looks like it's for a four or five-year-old. I looked into the Garmin vivofit jr. also and that's just as small. My 10-year-old is not a very big kid but the adult watch looks a hundred times better on him than this little tiny thing. I guess it is time to set up a bogus account

[LZeeW]

@MikeS1974   The Ace 3 is uses the same pebble as the Inspire 2 -- an adult tracker.  You can use Inspire 2 bands on an Ace 3.  The Ace had the same pebble as the Alta and the Ace 2 had the same pebble as the Inspire.  All three devices are still in use by many, many adults.

This will sound blunt -- how do you expect you son to follow the rules when you are ready to violate Fitbit's Terms of Service?

[MamaRoo]

This is a passive-aggressive response that doesn't explain to families why Fitbit doesn't allow any other devices except the ACE to be used by children under 13. It borders on rude and isn't helpful.