The most accurate devices, like the Wherecom Kidfit (use a combination of technologies.Īt the very least, a tracking device should pinpoint a child’s location. Their reach is limited, though that may be just fine if you’re trying to keep tabs on a child in the backyard or your local park. Still, other devices like My Buddy Tag () use Bluetooth technology. Other devices use the cellphone network so they won’t work if the child wanders out of range. Tracking units that use GPS depend on satellites and some provide coverage pretty much anywhere on the planet. For an older child, they may make the device more appealing. For little kids, the extra bells and whistles may be distracting. And some, like the Amby Gear Smartwatch (), include games or virtual pets. Many units resemble watches or function like flip phones. They can be attached to children, elders, pets or even a laptop that tends to wander off. Some trackers, like Trax (), do nothing but show location.
Before purchasing the technology, consider these questions: That said, there are situations in which a tracker can be very useful - think amusement parks or kids who walk to and from school. As parents find themselves counting on surveillance, they may be less intentional about helping kids anticipate and avoid risks. Instead of learning what they need to know to navigate confidently and safely in a risky world, kids depend on the panic button that summons Mom. Experts point out that tracking devices can encourage both passivity and a false sense of security in children as well as parents. For those who really can’t take care of themselves - very young children, kids with disabilities, even pets or elders with dementia - tracking devices may produce peace of mind.Īnd, for children, that can be a problem. Still others want a better way to supervise and enforce family rules about safety. Others want an electronic yenta who can keep an eye on children (and their caregivers) when parents can’t be there. Some parents turn to GPS because the world seems scarier than it was when they were kids. And it’s given rise to a whole new industry - GPS tracking for kids.
Even if it’s brief, the experience is heart-stopping. A school-age child gets confused about the pick up location. A kindergartener heads off to investigate something in another grocery aisle. A toddler figures out how to open an unlatched door.
Sooner or later, most parents lose a kid - usually for only a few minutes.
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