ABSTRACT
In recent years, smartwatches have become increasingly popular among young children in China. This study examines how smartwatches are embedded in children’s daily lives and how parents mediate their use. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 17 parents and 9 children aged 6 to 12, the findings suggest that although smartwatches are worn by children, they are typically purchased by parents, extend home boundaries and become embedded in family routines. The domestication of smartwatches shapes and differentiates parental mediation, giving rise to three dominant roles: gatekeepers, monitors and mentors. Unlike traditional screen-based media, smartwatches in these families appear to require mediation not only of content and time but also of everyday activities. Within this sample, parental mediation is influenced by Confucian traditions that are consistent with hierarchical family structures and emphasise parental responsibility for educating and disciplining children. Regardless of the role they adopt, parents in this study generally mediate smartwatch use through a top-down approach. While increasingly aware of the importance of fostering children’s autonomy, these parents simultaneously seek to protect them from risks and invest in their well-being. In this way, parental authority is intertwined with care and affection, shaping a complex intergenerational dynamic.