GPS monitoring of your kids; good idea?

[alaskaguy]

Now there is a GPS device being marketed specifically for telling you where your kids are. It is concealed in a child’s digital watch that is securely fastened to your child and cannot be removed or deactivated without your knowledge. Another feature is the ability to set up a virtual fence as a ‘safe zone’. If your child steps outside this zone you'll know straight away. If the device is removed without your permission an instant alert is sent straight to your phone and/or email with your child’s location

Link:
Num8 - The world's first GPS locator that locates your child...not just the device

 

[alaskaguy]

I am waiting for a similar device that is designed for pets.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Now there is a GPS device being marketed specifically for telling you where your kids are. It is concealed in a child’s digital watch that is securely fastened to your child and cannot be removed or deactivated without your knowledge. Another feature is the ability to set up a virtual fence as a ‘safe zone’. If your child steps outside this zone you'll know straight away. If the device is removed without your permission an instant alert is sent straight to your phone and/or email with your child’s location

Link:
Num8 - The world's first GPS locator that locates your child...not just the device

I prefer Invisible fence. If the little dude steps out of the yard, he gets a nice little shock. Hopefully he is a quick learner:biggrin:

 

[CYKID]

you can get a similar system if you have sprint. It lets you know where your kids cell phones are located. Havent used it but I know its available.

 

[moater]

Verizon offers the same service (chaperone) for certain cell phones. I don't have the service but it has been available for awhile.

 

[Cyclonepride]

To address this seriously.......I have no problem with the idea when the kids are smaller. Once they become young adults, I think it sends them a bad signal. At some point, you have to let a young person make his/her own decisions, and let them know that you trust them.

 

[mj4cy]

If you have to use GPS to monitor you kid, you're not a good parent.

 

[Bubbahotep]

If you have to use GPS to monitor you kid, you're not a good parent.

True enough. If you raised good kids, they will actually go where they are telling you they're going.

 

[moater]

If you have to use GPS to monitor you kid, you're not a good parent.

Not sure I would go that far. I can think of many uses for the service. Phone recovery for one.

 

[dosry5]

I prefer Invisible fence. If the little dude steps out of the yard, he gets a nice little shock. Hopefully he is a quick learner:biggrin:

This could be awesome....I could get one for my wife and set it up to shock her everytime she enters Ann Taylor or JCrew....hell, just set up to shock her at the entrance to the mall....:yes:

 

[mj4cy]

Not sure I would go that far. I can think of many uses for the service. Phone recovery for one.

There are obviously horrible parents in the world (for example, the mother that had to slap and yell at her kid at Wal-Mart because she couldn't control her son from grabbing things in the aisle), but since the beginning of human civilization, parents have been able to raise their kids without GPS. I just don't see a need to use it as a crutch to become a lazy parent. Of course there would be a couple applications where it would be nice, but I see it as a crutch more than anything.

 

[cmoneyr]

I agree with cyclonepride, for young kids, say ages 1-6 maybe, I think it's a good idea. Although they don't really wear watches so you'd have to conceal it some other way.

 

[JonDMiller]

To address this seriously.......I have no problem with the idea when the kids are smaller. Once they become young adults, I think it sends them a bad signal. At some point, you have to let a young person make his/her own decisions, and let them know that you trust them.

At the young adult stage, you just do this without their knowledge

 

[CYKID]

I wish I had it when my car was stolen.(my phone was inside charging) They could have gotten to it before all my stuff was pawned.

 

[Bubbahotep]

At the young adult stage, you just do this without their knowledge

Right, kids today understand how to work this stuff better than we do. They are probably monitoring where you are at right now.

 

[Cydkar]

If you have to use GPS to monitor you kid, you're not a good parent.

Really? I think that's bull.

 

[IcSyU]

They are probably monitoring where you are at right now.

Hahaha...reminds me of when I was 8-9. Mom worked an hour away and I wasn't supposed to have friends and stuff in the house when no one was home, so I'd call and if she answered her work phone I knew she was still there and if she didn't answer, I knew she was on her way home and I had to think about getting my friends out.

 

[Bobber]

Torn on this one. On one hand, I like to think it's not needed. On the other hand I pulled up the national sex offender list last week and was surprised how many of those people live not far from me.

I think it's a good idea, particularly for a metro area. Back on the farm, I knew everyone and my parents pretty much knew were I was and who I would be with every night. That's much harder to do in town.

I'd only use the thing, if my kid dissapeared.

 

[IcSyU]

I'd only use the thing, if my kid dissapeared.

In that case, it's like insurance. You never want to have to use it, but you're more prepared in case of a disaster.

 

[moater]

I look at it as a tool or resource. When I was growing up my dad always said "trust but verify" It works both ways between parent and child. Blind faith or trust is a noble idea but not always practical.