Results Count ... everything else is conversation.: Kid Power demonstrates the power of technology for good

Finally a gift that just keeps on giving to children around the world

Image Credit: UNICEF

I've discovered that the best part of being a grandparent is that you keep on learning from both your kids and grandkids. This past holiday season, I discovered a wearable for children that was so popular it was almost impossible for parents to buy one in time for Christmas. If you don't have preteens in your immediate family circle, you may have missed the UNICEF Kid Power Band. It is a "Fitbit-like" wearable designed to promote fitness by having kids earn points that convert into lifesaving nutrition packets for malnourished children around the world. It is also a lesson for all of us in the power of engagement at a personal and global level for doing "good" that benefits others.

Why this is important: Childhood obesity is a growing problem in developed countries. Kid Power Band incorporates the genius of motivating kids to exercise by tying their activity to a tangible social benefit of helping other children.

Kid Power Band - A unique wearable that motivates fitness for preteens

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is known for its humanitarian work with children around the world. They are especially focused on young children who are malnourished. So, on the surface it seems bizarre that UNICEF would sponsor a hardware device that is a wearable fitness tracker for children.

The Band looks like an adult fitness type of tracking device and does track activity of the child wearing it. But, it does far more than just count steps. The Band is tied to an app, where kids use their daily steps to earn Kid Power Points. Points are then translated to RUTFs (Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food) packets that are distributed to a child with severe acute malnutrition. The device literally translates fitness into social good that a child can understand.

The Kid Power Band addresses chronic needs for all children

In developed countries we are blessed with too much … too much to eat and far too many gadgets that enthrall kids to sit for hours doing nothing but clicking on screens and controllers. The result in the United States is that obesity has doubled over the last 30 years. More than a third of American children and adolescents are overweight or obese! What parent would not want a device that gets their kids motivated to be active EVERY day!

In contrast, UNICEF reports that 50% of global deaths in children under the age of 5 are attributed to undernutrition. UNICEF is lining up sponsors who will translate the Kid Power Band activity steps into RUFT packets that can be distributed to undernourished children. What parent would not want to motivate their child to be personally involved in the social cause of helping needy children!

The genius behind the Band goes well beyond the technology

The genius behind the Band is the simple formula that translates "steps" into food packets. UNICEF determined that a full day of child activity consists of 12,000 steps, which is translated into 5 food packets. Children can swipe their band to see how many steps they have that day, and more importantly, how many food packets they've earned.

As a grandparent, it was interesting to see that my granddaughters were far more interested in the food packets earned, than the amount of steps they had accumulated. Although, my oldest granddaughter is quite competitive and wanted to see if she "beat" Mom and Dad on total steps at the end of the day. Talk about genius … how can a parent not be motivated to keep up with their child to be close in total number of steps!

The ultimate genius is the fact that the Band resets and starts all over the next day!

Image Credit: UNICEF

The real power is unleashed when you make it "Personal"

I have to take my hat off to Ammunition, the design studio that created the Kids Power Band. They didn't design a wearable for young children. They designed it to look like a "real" fitness device teens wear. They understand that children want to emulate teens and adults, because they perceive their devices as "cool". They also make it easy for kids to swipe and read "stats" in terms that they can translate (food packets) into relevant ways to help other kids.

Do kids inherently want to wear a fitness band? Um, probably not. But, do they want to be like their favorite athlete and Star Wars super heroes? Absolutely! UNICEF has also made the Band cool and personal by partnering with star athletes like Alex Morgan, Tyler Chandler and David Ortiz who sponsor "missions" that focus on a country special to them. UNICEF also partnered with Disney, Lucas Films and Target to rollout some special black and white Star Wars branded bands. What kid wouldn't want their personal Star Wars fitness band for Christmas! … Just ask the parents how hard it was to find one!

Kid Power Band – Passing fad or sign of the future

The device is priced at $40 is not overly expensive in the scheme of things. The "mission" apps are only $4 each, which is also in line with most apps. So, price is not a huge barrier.

The simple truth is that all is NOT bliss with the UNICEF Kid Power Band. While the device works wonderfully for the kids, the app not so much. If you read the reviews, parents are extremely frustrated with downloading the app to a device and syncing it with the Bands. The weak link here is the app, and it is the critical component to keep parents engaged in the process to serve as role models. Apps are fixable … and let's hope someone is all over fixing it soon because parental involvement is a critical success factor.

UNICEF has had a long running Trick-or-Treat program, where kids collected money on Halloween. The Kid Power Band is far more relevant in today's world. Not only does it promote fitness but connects kids personally with social good of helping other kids. It is also a model that stays relevant all year long.

Results count … and so does personal affinity with value

As a grandparent, I will personally testify that the Kid Power Band is the only holiday gift that my granddaughters have used every day since Christmas. That is a powerful sign for parents.

UNICEF did some systematic testing with students and teachers in Sacramento, California. The pilot program results showed that kids participating using the Kid Power Band were 55% more active than those who did not. I cannot think of another program demonstrating a 55% improvement in physical activity … what parent would not want these for their child. If the app can be debugged and streamlined to plot both the child's physical activity and the outcome of food packets earned … who knows what results can be achieved.

But, when your child or grandchild comes up at the end of the day with their Kid Power Band showing you how many food packets they earned … PRICELESS!

I highly encourage you to read more about it, and consider buying a Kid Power Band for a child in your life so that stay fit to save lives: http://unicefkidpower.org

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