What are the Cons of a Child Tracking Device?

A child tracking device allows you to track your child̵7;s location day and night. The device can be a watch, phone, a small chip in clothing and shoes, or even a surgically implanted chip. The choices are endless and prices vary.

  1. How does a tracking device work?

    • A tracking device uses satellites to give the location of a child. The technology has different designs and levels of sophistication. Some begin to track once the child leaves a certain area, others can detect body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. A child tracking device can be useful, but it could also have some disadvantages.

    Trust

    • A child who is being tracked 24 hours a day by his or her parents, may not feel trustworthy. It is very important for a child to be trusted by his parents. If your kids are young teenagers, the situation becomes even more complicated. Teenagers might assume that parents are just snooping on them and are not allowing them the freedom they should deserve. A tracking device could hurt the relationship between the child and parent.

    Safety

    • A child who carries a tracking device at all times may feel less safe in his or her environment. The message the parents could be sending is ̶0;we live in a scary and unsafe place. We are monitoring you because we think the worst could happen to you.̶1; This could instill more unnecessary fear in children.

    Parenting

    • Is the tracking device replacing real parenting? Parents should always know where their kids are by keeping an open communication. Parents should teach their kids to solve problems and make good choices. A tracking device could essentially replace communication between parent and child. It could become the child̵7;s monitor or babysitter. Parents should not rely on technology to tell them where their kids are.

    Proper Use

    • Improper use of the tracking device can give parents false information about their child̵7;s whereabouts. Technology sometimes fails and it is not 100% reliable. It could give children and adults a false sense of security.

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