Bark and Samsung Rethink the Kids' Smartwatch to Deliver Reliable Protection on a Premium Device

Rebuilt entirely on the Galaxy Watch8 platform, the new Bark Watch pairs a rugged aluminum design with Bark's award-winning advanced safety software to help kids stay safer from online threats

ATLANTA, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bark Technologies today announced the new Bark Watch (powered by Samsung Galaxy Watch8), developed in partnership with Samsung. Built natively on the premium Samsung Galaxy Watch8 (40mm LTE) platform, ^[1]the device pairs Samsung's industry-leading hardware with Bark's AI-powered digital safety platform. The result is a durable, adult-grade smartwatch that kids will love, giving families a smarter first connected device for children ready for more independence.

This completely overhauled design from the original Bark Watch directly solves the primary problem facing modern parents. While families want to protect their children from digital dangers like cyberbullying, online predators, and explicit content, they also need a dependable device that can actually keep up with an active childhood. Many kids' watches are designed primarily for younger children, leaving older kids wanting something that feels more age-appropriate without sacrificing the safety features parents value. The new Bark Watch delivers a sleek Armor Aluminum timepiece, giving parents a reliable way to help keep their kids safe without the distractions of a smartphone.

The redesigned Bark Watch is a major leap forward for Bark's parental control lineup, giving parents stronger tools to protect their kids and giving kids more freedom to explore safely. 

"Parents need a dependable way to help keep their kids safe when giving them a smartwatch," said Brian Bason, founder and CEO of Bark Technologies. "By building directly on the Samsung Galaxy Watch8, we are delivering our award-winning safety features on the best-in-class device, giving parents the utmost confidence in their family's security."

Meaningful Upgrades for Active Families
By migrating to the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 architecture, the new Bark Watch introduces significant performance updates built around the real-world needs of active families:

• Advanced Communication: Supports standalone LTE calling, group texting, speech-to-text dictation for composing messages, and text-to-speech playback that reads received messages aloud for children who need extra reading support.
• Hardware & Durability: Built on the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 with a modern round design, durable Armor Aluminum construction, and a IP68 durability rating.^[2]
• Smart Health Tracking: Integrates health features, including fitness activity, step count, and more, all in one place,
• Expanded Safety Features: Features built-in Emergency SOS, ^[3]and GPS location tracking.
• Flexible Contact Controls: Offers customizable text and calling controls that can be scheduled by time of day based on parent preferences, evolving alongside a child's maturity and demonstrated responsibility.
• Style & Personalization: Includes Bluetooth headphone support and eight interchangeable watch band styles which are available for purchase.

Distraction-free Boundaries
What's even more important is what the watch leaves out, creating clean, distraction-free boundaries. The device features no social media apps, internet browsers, mobile games, unrestricted app downloads, or built-in camera hardware. However, Bark's award-winning AI platform runs quietly in the background, scanning incoming and outgoing media sent via text, instantly alerting parents to issues like cyberbullying, digital threats, or explicit content before it escalates.

Pricing and Availability
The next-generation Bark Watch is available today for $10/month for 24 months for the device, paired with a $15/month plan for cellular service and parental controls. Optional comprehensive device protection covering accidental damage, loss, or theft is available from Bark for $4/month.

To choose from the eight interchangeable band styles, review the full technical specifications, or order a device, visit the watch page at bark.us/bark-watch.

You can also follow @barktechnologies on social media for real-time updates, digital safety tips, and expert parenting advice.

About Bark Technologies
Bark Technologies is the trusted leader in online safety for kids and families, helping protect more than 7.5 million children at home and in over 3,600 schools and districts across the United States. Bark's AI-powered parental controls help families and educators navigate today's digital world by detecting potential issues such as cyberbullying, online predators, suicidal ideation, threats of violence, sexual content, and other risks—while giving parents greater visibility and children more independence.

Bark's suite of products includes the Bark app, Bark Phone, Bark Watch, Bark Home, Bark Sync, and its community initiatives, Bark for Schools and Connected Communities. Together, they provide AI-powered parental controls, safety alerts, content monitoring, sexting prevention, screen time management, web filtering, location sharing, and other tools designed to help families raise safer, healthier, and more digitally resilient kids.

Bark's award-winning technology monitors activity across more than 45 popular apps and platforms, as well as text messages, photos, videos, emails, chats, and files, alerting parents only when potential concerns are detected so they can step in early and help prevent small issues from becoming bigger ones.

Learn more at bark.us.

¹  4G LTE stand-alone connectivity only available on Galaxy Watch LTE specific models.

² Consistent with IP68 rating, water resistant in up to 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. Rinse residue / dry after wet.

³ Requires network connection to notify emergency contact. GPS accuracy may be affected by obstructions to satellite signal such as buildings.

SOURCE Bark Technologies