Bark Technologies and Samsung are teaming up to give families a new option for introducing children to connected technology without handing them a smartphone.
The companies have unveiled a redesigned Bark Watch, built on the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 40mm LTE platform. The smartwatch combines Samsung’s hardware with Bark’s AI-powered parental safety technology, creating a connected device designed to provide children with greater independence while giving parents additional oversight.
The new model features an Armor Aluminum construction and a range of communication, location, safety, and activity-monitoring tools aimed at families with children who are ready for their first more advanced connected device.
A Galaxy Watch8 Foundation Designed for Kids
Rather than building another smartwatch specifically around children’s hardware, Bark has based its latest device on Samsung’s Galaxy Watch8 architecture.
The result is a more mature-looking wearable with a round design and rugged aluminum construction. The watch carries an IP68 durability rating, making it better suited to the everyday activity of older children.
Bark says the redesign addresses a common challenge for parents: younger children’s watches can feel too basic as kids grow, while smartphones can introduce distractions and online risks that families may not yet want to manage.
Communication Without Giving Kids a Smartphone
The Bark Watch provides several ways for children to stay in contact with parents and approved contacts.
The LTE-connected device supports standalone calling and group messaging. Children can also use speech-to-text technology to dictate messages instead of typing them on the small display.
For children who may have difficulty reading messages, text-to-speech functionality can read incoming communications aloud, providing another way to interact with the device.
Parents can also establish customized calling and messaging rules. These controls can be scheduled around specific times of day and adjusted as children become more responsible and ready for additional communication freedom.
AI Safety Monitoring Works in the Background
One of the key differences between the Bark Watch and conventional smartwatches is the focus on digital safety.
Bark’s AI technology monitors media sent through the watch’s messaging system and can notify parents when it identifies potentially concerning activity. The system is designed to help detect issues such as cyberbullying, explicit material, and other digital safety threats.
The goal is to provide parents with an additional layer of awareness without requiring them to constantly monitor their child’s conversations manually.
Fewer Apps, Fewer Digital Distractions
Bark has also taken a deliberately limited approach to the watch’s entertainment and internet capabilities.
The device does not include social media applications, a traditional web browser, mobile games, unrestricted app downloads, or built-in camera hardware.
By leaving out many of the features commonly associated with smartphones and general-purpose smartwatches, Bark is positioning the device as a communication and safety tool rather than a miniature smartphone.
Built-In Location and Emergency Features
The smartwatch also includes several features intended to help parents stay connected to their children when they are away from home.
GPS location tracking allows parents to monitor the watch’s location, while an Emergency SOS function provides children with a way to request help when necessary.
The watch also includes fitness and activity tracking, including step counting and other health-related measurements, giving children access to basic activity information from the same device.
Personalization for Growing Kids
Although the Bark Watch is designed around safety and simplicity, Bark has not overlooked personalization.
The company says eight interchangeable band styles will be available for purchase, allowing children to change the appearance of the watch to match their preferences.
Bluetooth headphone compatibility is also supported, providing another way for users to interact with the device.
A Connected Device With Clear Boundaries
The partnership between Bark and Samsung reflects a growing effort to give children access to connected technology without exposing them to all of the features and risks associated with smartphones.
The new Bark Watch combines Samsung’s established smartwatch hardware with Bark’s parental-control technology, creating a device that focuses on communication, safety, location awareness, and age-appropriate independence.
For parents who want to introduce a child to wearable technology while maintaining tighter digital boundaries, the new smartwatch offers an alternative to giving a child unrestricted access to a smartphone.
Pricing and Availability
The next-generation Bark Watch is available now. The device costs $10 per month for 24 months, while cellular service and parental-control features require a separate $15-per-month plan.
Bark also offers optional device protection for $4 per month, covering certain situations involving accidental damage, loss, or theft.
Customers can explore the available watch bands, specifications, and ordering options through Bark’s official website.
