Tying a kids account to an adult account.

[Asevansrn]

i want my 12 year to be able to use his ChargeHR. We chose it because of the time feature. This is my 8th Fitbit purchase as a gift. Instead of shutting kids out, give us the ability to set up an account for them but it has to be tied to parent or guardian account. As in I have to put my email address and password in to active the account or give permission. You are missing the boat on this one. You are an intelligent group of people. Think outside the box.

[ellisbe]

Hi,

I have a Fitbit HR and love it … I am generally an active person but the Fitbit has encouraged me to walk at work and weekends on top of the aerobic workouts I do daily.

Are there any plans to bring out a version for children? Currently in the UK there is a push to make kids more active … (Jamie Oliver is a big supporter). My kids would love it …. You could take out the calorie counter bit (as not wanting to encourage the wrong behaviours) and add something else eg  ‘you have just walked the distance around Wembley stadium’ … again to encourage the correct behaviours .. make the challenges personal ones, not inviting other kids …. Have it syn up with a device owned by a parent not the child … I have so many thoughts on this .. and how to do it so to encourage the correct behaviours,.. its not about body image or counting calories… its about being more active … engage with the government… to fund fitbits at a sub cost for parents to buy from the school… have a choice of a clock face as well as the 24hr time view …

Or review children wearing else where (for health and safety issues .. perhaps on their ankle under socks for school

I feel very passionately about this (as do many other people) happy to chat more on this subject!!

[CrestaB]

I bought a fitbit charge hr for my 5 year old and had to lie about her age to create an account. People frequently question why a healthy 5 year old would need a fitbit. It is a great way of tracking whether or not she is getting an adequate amount of sleep--just putting her in bed does not guarantee sleep. This tracker lets me know if she needs an earlier bedtime. Sleep is critical to brain development and I am so grateful for this tool. It also has been an early indicator that she is getting sick. When I see her heart rate spiking over a few day period, I know she is getting sick and can keep a careful watch. This isn't just about steps. It is about making healthy choices and starting at a young age is ideal. My daughter doesn't talk about weight or being skinny, but she does ask is her choice a healthy one and is proud when she finds out it is. Please make this tool available to all parents.

[SprManKalEl]

I would love the ability to sync my husband's FitBit information with my dashboard and vice versa. That way, when either one of us conects and updates to the app the other will he able to see it. The ability to sync multiple users would be a very nice feature.

[JennyJenn]

This is an awesome idea.

As for the questions the moderator posed, for verifying ages, I think it a great suggestion someone made to have the parent sign up with their account and then create an account attached to that one. I also love the idea of family challenges. Also, for verifying online, people can lie so there isn't really a way to verify anymore than if the kid just goes and buys one for themselves and sets up an account saying they're of age. You're making parents "lie" for their kid so they can have an account. I know you want to protect yourself, Fitbit, and that's fine, so just have the standard language that the parent/guardian/adult is the one tied to the kid's account.

This is such a wonderful and healthy idea that I think you could implement ASAP with the tech you already have. Now, for making the devices more durable and waterproof, that might take a bit of time. But the software for accounts and tracking steps you already have in place.

[Tavia]

On the subject of parent/child accounts, we can use online games as a guide.  For example, Wizard 101 has the concept of parent and child linked accounts.  The parent creates the parent account first and then creates the linked child accounts (also allows adding an existing account as a child account, as long as you know the login and password).  Now, you don't need the same level of control that Wizard 101 has (allows filtered chat, open chat, can transfer in-game currency, etc). but having a 'master' or 'parent' password to enable certain changes could be useful (only a parent can change the info, allow friends, allow/disallow notifications, allow/disallow notifications to the parent, control Privacy settings).

[Danierea]

It would be nice if Fitbit could create an authorized child's account that would only capture steps or whatever they are looking for. Many online companies allow for a parent to have an account and have a child account for gaming that will control chat and other features based on the parents. These are major companies like Disney, Nickelodeon, and even Pokemon Go has an authorized account. Better to see kids getting healthier and showing an interest in fitness even with limited community features.

[ephay]

Curious if there is any progress on this idea or a legit way around the stoppers.  I don't generally use my PC for my Alta...only my iPhone. 

A little history: I bought 9-y/o twins the Unicef PowerKids trackers...and THEY have the ability to sync multiple bands on the same app/account.  Yes...a parent account had to be set up but once that was done...it was simple; connect via bluetooth, answer a couple questions & you're literally off & running.

My son stuggles with staying active (would so much rather zombie in front of a screen) but these bands have encouraged him to participate in his school's running club, intermurals, and he loves competing with his twin sister!  Isn't this EXACTLY the point of the trackers?

Despite the fact that the PowerKids bands/trackers come apart (the tracker actually falls out of the bloody band & we're strategically using rubber bands to keep them in place), they have managed to take good care of them.  So I have bought them each an Alta like mine & they're going to be SUPER excited!

Now here I'm finding out that I have to LIE about their age & set up individual accounts that cannot be linked together for me to peruse?  Seriously?  A company with the cheap-o trackers has it together and Fitbit doesn't?  You guys are missing a HUGE market from my perspective.  PowerKids bands even have a school program to engage kids en-mass.  Maybe Fitbit needs to catch up.

[elchupacabra]

 I was able to set up a family account with Apple. I am the responsible party and "own" the accounts. I must approve everything that my children (ages 8 and 11) download. When they are old enough then they will "own" the accounts.

Come on, Fitbit! The technology can allow this, and not be at odds with COPPA.

[CRae]

I would definitely love to see something like this implemented.  My son is dying to have his own fitbit and be part of our family's weekly challenges.

[mcbutter]

I have seen ads this past weekend for a Vivofit Jr. wristband that is made for children. If Vivofit can create an activity wristband for children and an app that parents can manage, why can't Fitbit? I would much rather my kids have a Fitbit, but since Fitbit doesn't make one for children I will be buying them the Vivofit Jr. for now. Fitbit needs to create a kids version soon.

[NickoleM123]

My family and I would like to see a multi profile option on the app and dashboard. I'd love to get my kids involved and be able to track their exercise/heartrates/sleep patterns, but they do not have cell phones or email addresses at this time. I'd love a family option on the profiles so that we could monitor their progress, etc.

[Tymz]

No-where on the packaging of sites does it say that you can't use a FitBit for kids under 13. The lack of this ability is crazy when you could set up a family account approach, just like Microsoft does for kids computers. Please make this happen ASAP. Until then, my 10 year old son will have to be 13

[Sanjay.1121]

We are a family with 2 kids and we recently purchased charge 2 for all 4 of us. I cannot setup my kids devices due to two restrictions. 

1) kids under 13 cannot have a Fitbit account. 

2) same model devices cannot be setup on one account. 

Why would you not have a family feature that allows parents to add devices for kids regardless of them being the same models?

Seems silly to me and if this cannot be done then I have wasted money on Fitbits for my kids. 

Please fix ASAP. You are missing out on a huge market. 

[tstheaker]

Return your fitbit.  There are many competitive products who have figured out how to either link a childs device to an adults account or to set up their own account.

[hbbetty]

I just ran into the same problem. Both of my kids (8 & 10) received fitbits for Christmas. They have wanted them for a while and were so excited to finally have their own. Only problem being I can't add them to my account. A "family" account option where you can add children seems like it would be a simple solution and honestly I was surprised to find it didn't already exist. My fault for not checking first but nowhere on the packaging does it say children under 13 are not allowed. So what do I do? Lie about their ages and set up seperate accounts anyway?? Return their gifts and purchase another brand that will allow them to track their fitness data?? Neither option is appealing. Hoping Fitbit can offer a better solution. FAST.

[cdunklernbsn]

YOU ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO MISS OUT ON A LARGE POPULATION OF CONSUMERS IF THERE IS NOT A WAY TO TIE A KIDS ACCOUNT TO AN ADULT ACCOUNT. THERE ARE MANY CHILDREN WHO ARE OVERWEIGHT AND IN NEED OF SOMETHING TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO BE MORE ACTIVE AND THEN THERE ARE THOSE WHO WANT TO STAY ACTIVE AND BE COMPETITIVE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHICH ALSO IS A HUGE ENCOURAGEMENT. GET ON BOARD AND MAKE THIS HAPPEN. MY DAUGHTER (5 YEARS OLD) HAS ONE AND IS SOOOO VERY DISSAPOINTED!!

[Asevansrn]

I have been posting this for close to two years and it seems to be falling on deaf ears. Not sure how to move this along or grab someone's attention.

Sincerely,
Angela Evans

[scholartist]

I was on a flight with my 8 year old recently and she was anxious during take-off and landing. We used the heart rate monitor on my fitbit to provide her with some biofeedback. It gave her something to focus on and it allowed her to see how her heart rate was responsive to her breathing and mental state. It was pretty awesome. Since she is learning how to manage her emotions, this could be a great tool for her to be more aware of how much control she has of her own body and reactions. She is also very interested in joining the rest of the family (me, her uncle, her grandfather) in our friendly step-competition. I think both features would be good for her. But yes, I need the device to be for a smaller wrist, indestructible, unlikely to fall off, and inexpensive enough (ie. not $100) that we don't have to be worried about whether she might lose it. Until then, I suppose I will have to make due with another company's device, but that leaves her out of our family fitbit gang.

[njg108]

I've found requests for this feature dating back over 3yrs!!!!  It cannot be that great of software engineering feat to create a feature to add a "child" account under a parent.  

First, if the "child" is not a minor this is a no brainer... this is the solution to when not every Fitbit user has their own computer/mobile device to check their stats.  One parent/master account, with individually selectable "children" within one application.  Done.

Second, if the child account does belong to a minor, where protection of information is federal law, how can it be so difficult to add additional security/lockdown of information?  I understand some features may be lost, but there has to be a way to safely collect stats locally, or on Fitbit's side in a protected way, that could not be used or shared as prohibited by law.  I am certain other software applications can do this.  It cannot be impossible!!

Come on Fitbit, you've had many users begging for this for years.  Get on it, figure it out!!  Look at it this way, you would open up a whole new sales demographic.

[Saocoyote]

You should be able to add your children to your account since they are to young to have an account.

[MakMak]

Hi, @Saocoyote! The issue with children having accounts is because of laws protecting children's information on the internet. Unfortunately, having them on your account would not bypass this.

[Saocoyote]

Then fitbit needs to put on there box an age limit.  But for children 13 and up you can have there information online with parents permission. And its pretty bad when Justice sells a a fit band that are for kids that is tracks and shares with friends.


Sent fro6m my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

[mjareynolds]

Same thought here.  It seems ridiculous that you can't add a child's profile to an existing account.  My son loves to see his steps, sleep etc but I can't put two devices on one account.  Fitbit is missing out on a big opportunity to help our children want to get more active and healthier using their device.

[fmenear]

apple has where you can set up child account under the parent I cannot understand why we cannot do the same with fit bit. and yes they gave their own email addresses! 

[DaveDee]

cause this isn't apple