What To Consider Before Using GPS To Track Your Kid

Sooner or later, most parents lose a kid — usually for only a few minutes.

- Carolyn Jabs

A toddler figures out how to open an unlatched door. A kindergartener heads off to investigate something in another grocery aisle. A school-age child gets confused about the pick-up location. Even if it’s brief, the experience can be heart-stopping. And it has given rise to a whole new industry — GPS tracking of children.

For kids, this can be a problem. Experts point out that tracking devices can encourage both passivity and a false sense of security in children and parents. 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 confidently and safely navigate a risky world, kids depend on that panic button that summons Mom or Dad.

That said, there are situations in which a tracker can be very useful — think amusement parks, or kids who walk to and from school. Before purchasing the technology, consider these questions.

What does it do?