School Mode

School Mode is a special app feature that allows you to control the functions on your child’s SPACETALK smartwatch phone.

What is School Mode
FAQs for Parents
FAQs for Teachers

What is School Mode?

Keeping kids safe on the way to school—and focused in school.
Everyone wants to create a safe, learning-focused environment for students—that’s why many schools are banning mobile phones that distract from classwork and might even enable bullying.

We designed the Spacetalk smartwatch phone specifically to address these issues, with no internet—and none of the distractions created by smartphones and smartwatches designed for adults.

We hope this information will enable you to have an informed discussion with parents about shared responsibility for child safety and the appropriate use of technology in schools.

What is Spacetalk?

Spacetalk is a school-ready wearable safety device developed in Australia specifically to keep kids aged 5-12 protected and connected with their families. Spacetalk provides a high-quality phone, SOS alert service and GPS locator within a wristwatch sized device. Parents have full control over all features, including who can contact their child.

Can my child access the internet using Spacetalk?

No! Our designers and developers have focused completely on child safety and that includes leaving out features that can put children at risk.

- NO Social Media
- NO Apps
- NO Internet

What is School Mode?

School Mode is a unique Spacetalk feature, designed for school use and any occasion when children are away from home. Parents and guardians use School Mode remotely to define the features that should be switched on or off on the device during set times such as classroom periods.

How does School Mode work?

Parents use the Spacetalk App to select which watch functions to disable during school hours or set times. For instance, you can switch off/on incoming and outgoing calls, messaging, step counter, location and stopwatch.

Unlike smart phones, Spacetalk in School Mode behaves just like a wristwatch. In School Mode, parents have complete control, without distracting their child or disturbing classroom activities.

How does the teacher know when SPACETALK is in School Mode?

Teachers can see that Spacetalk is in School Mode simply by looking at the screen – they will see two pencils side by side on the watch face.

Can my child use Spacetalk at school?

Spacetalk was designed for school use, especially for your child to wear to and from school.

Many schools have introduced bans on all smart devices due to the phone ban in schools, however Spacetalk has a School Mode which allows you to control the device remotely, transforming it into a simple wristwatch (which kids have been wearing to school for decades!). Only the parent controls Spacetalk School Mode to switch functions off during set times such as classroom periods.

What if I need to contact my child in an emergency, when the phone is in School Mode?

As a parent, you have complete control – you can quickly enable any feature to get in touch with your child quickly and directly.

My school has banned all smart devices. What can I do?

Each school has different guidelines and policies about what children can wear at school. If your school has a blanket ban on all smart devices, even when worn in School Mode, they usually provide a safe storage place during the school day. You might also provide your child’s school with a school information flyer to explain the device’s safety features which you can find in the resources below.

How do I explain School Mode to my child’s teacher or School Principal?

You can explain that School Mode disables features such as calling and messaging, completely removing distractions.

School Mode means your child can wear Spacetalk as a simple wristwatch the entire time they are at school.

I’ve read media reports that smartwatch phones can be hacked - is my child’s Spacetalk smartwatch phone secure and safe?

Spacetalk and the Spacetalk app have been accredited by world leading cybersecurity experts* for best practice security.

All data is stored in Australia by an Australian company, never used for advertising or profiling and protected by Australian child safety legislation.

*A team led by Dr Matthew Sorell of the University of Adelaide.

What is Spacetalk?

Spacetalk is child safety device specifically developed in Australia with schools in mind. It incorporates a smart watch, phone, SOS function and GPS locator in a wristwatch sized device. Essential for school use, it also incorporates ‘School Mode’ to make it safe and distraction-free during school hours.

How does School Mode work?

Unlike smart phones, Spacetalk in School Mode behaves just like a wristwatch. In School Mode, parents have complete control, without distracting their child or disturbing classroom activities.

How do I know when Spacetalk is in School Mode?

Teachers can see that Spacetalk is in School Mode instantly by looking at the screen – you will see two pencils side by side on the watch face.

Why do children need Spacetalk at school?

Spacetalk lets parents and children stay in contact wherever they are, especially while travelling to and from school and extra-curricular activities.

School Mode ensures Spacetalk won’t be a distraction in class and allows children to contact parents again once school is over.

Isn't Spacetalk just like a mobile phone?

Spacetalk is better than a mobile phone. The device lets children and parents stay in touch without the risks of a normal mobile phone.

With no internet, apps or social media, Spacetalk eliminates cyber bullying, unwanted contact and inappropriate content. Unlike a mobile phone, parents have complete control over the device and who can contact their child.

How can I, as a teacher, manage the issue? All smart devices are included in our phone ban.

When referring to smart watches some schools have told parents:

If your child wears a smartwatch to school, you must provide a guarantee that it will be switched to ‘School Mode’ to disable all functions except the wristwatch during school hours.

Spacetalk watches have School Mode, allowing parents to disable certain features during class time, completely removing distractions.

How can a smart device prevent bullying?

Spacetalk eliminates the risk of cyber bullying by removing access to all apps and the Internet. Furthermore, children can only make and receive calls and messages from the parent-controlled contact list, meaning they can’t be harassed by strangers.

My school is also concernced about issues such as hacking and cyber safety - is Spacetalk secure?

Spacetalk and the Spacetalk app have been accredited by world leading cybersecurity experts* for best practice security.

All data is stored in Australia by an Australian company, never used for advertising or profiling and protected by Australian child safety legislation.

*A team led by Dr Matthew Sorell of the University of Adelaide.

Isn't Spacetalk just like Apple Watch and other smartwatches made for adults?

It’s what Spacetalk removes that makes it safe for Primary School use. Apple Watch and similar devices offer features such as apps and open access to the internet; the ability to call anyone and be called by anyone, with no parental control; and they have no School Mode or SOS emergency button. They also require the child to carry a separate phone, that also can’t be set to School Mode.