Communication Through Smartwatches in Chinese Primary School Students: Case Study of Primary School Affiliated to Yunnan Normal University

Background and Aim: In China, the prohibition of mobile phones in schools has led parents to turn to smartwatches, which can track location, monitor health, and facilitate communication. The children's smartwatch market in China is rapidly growing and holds the largest global market share. However, excessive use of smartwatches may impact children's social behavior, health, and privacy. Research on the impact of smartwatch use is crucial to promote responsible digital media usage, improve parent-child communication, and develop appropriate policies for safe and balanced smartwatch usage, supporting children's development in the digital age. The objective is to: (1) explore the general situation of smartwatch usage among Chinese primary school students. (2) To study the communication through smartwatches among Chinese primary school students. (3) To find out the development of communication based on smartwatches in Chinese Primary School Students in a case study of a primary school affiliated with Yunnan Normal University. Materials and Methods: This study adopted a mixed research method combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Firstly, through a literature review, we sorted out relevant theories and research findings on smartwatch media and its impact on media use and the physical and mental health of Chinese primary school students. Secondly, we designed and distributed a survey questionnaire to collect quantitative data on the use of smartwatches among 400 Chinese primary school students. At the same time, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted in six groups to obtain detailed feedback and opinions from primary school students, parents, and teachers on the use of smartwatches. Finally, the collected data underwent statistical analysis and qualitative analysis to comprehensively understand the impact of smartwatches on the communication patterns of primary school students. Results: (1) The usage overview of smartwatches among Chinese primary school students is as follows: Smartwatches have a high penetration rate among Chinese primary school students, with 72% of students using them for non-academic purposes for over an hour daily, primarily for socializing, location tracking, and entertainment. Parents recognize their safety monitoring functions, but they are concerned about privacy risks (such as location data leakage) and technological dependency (such as social addiction). (2) The communication mode of smartwatches among primary school students is as follows: 67% of students convey emotions through preset emoticons, leading to "instrumentalization" of emotional expression; face-to-face communication still dominates (58%). There is a significant contradiction between parental supervision measures (85% limit communication) and student acceptance (only 23%), and the device may exacerbate social exclusion (15% of marginalized students are isolated). (3) The case study of the Primary School Affiliated to Yunnan Normal University shows that smartwatches enhance parental security (92%) and increase learning assistance usage (+40%), but they lead to a decrease in face-to-face communication vocabulary for 35% of students and an increase in classroom distractions by 17%. By implementing "time-based disabling" and "digital literacy courses," the negative impact of the device is reduced by 28%. This study can provide replicable management solutions for schools and parents. Conclusion: Smartwatches play a role far beyond that of a mere communication device for elementary school students in China. They deeply influence social structures, learning processes, and family relationships. Technology has transformed children's communication patterns from traditional face-to-face interactions to the use of symbols, voice messages, and quantitative data, potentially leading to a reduction in emotional depth during communication. Moreover, daily use of these devices reveals ongoing negotiations of power between children and adults, contextual adaptation, and children's efforts to maintain privacy under digital surveillance.