Candid conversations about using GPS and wireless technology for work and fun.
GPS – Tracking Dogs or Kids
Author—Mary Beth Lowell – Communications Manager
As a new parent who is getting very little sleep at night, I’ve noticed I now have very strange dreams in the short increments that I do get.
Last night I had a dream that I lost my dog in a mall. (I have no idea where that came from but on a scale of 1 to 10, that was a 1 compared to other recent dreams.)
Coincidentally enough though, Garmin today introduced its new dog collar with GPS.
I was reading about it on Gizmodo and saw that someone had commented that it should be used on kids. I’m sure they were joking but it did make me think about other technology that allows you to track your kids (new parent brain).
There are several different options such as giving your kids a phone with GPS or maybe a bracelet. Wherify has an interesting product – a watch that has GPS on it. I know kids love fun watches so I’m thinking this might be a great option for both boys and girls. It currently comes in blue or purple but my guess is if they had pink, they’d sell more for girls.
What do you think? Do you track your kids? Anyone who thinks this is a bad idea?
about 2 years ago
Tracking kids using watch style GPS is powerful.
(1) Kids can have phone, but it is easier to get turned off or lost and it is harder to carry.
(2) Easier for parents to pickup kids
(3) Good for camping event etc.
about 2 years ago
I think that using a tracking watch on your child can be a good way to add an extra level of safety. However, it is only really useful if you have already taught your kid some of the basic principles of personal safety. Another thing that you need to be aware of is that most real-time trackers come with a monthly fee as well as the initial fee for the device. So watches may be a good avenue for some people, but they certainly aren’t for everyone.
about 2 years ago
Joe – that’s a great point. It’d be a mistake to see these type of services as a babysitter. Communication with your kids is really important.
about 2 years ago
Very interesting post! Go to http://www.jett-track.com or http://www.jett-track.com/blog for more info. about GPS tracking.
about 1 year ago
MY fear is that these devices are great if there is not an abductor involved , who is most likely to wantto change the child’e clothes, remove jewelry cut hair etc. IN this scenario, all you have is where the abductor left the device. My 7 r., old said “we should put it in fingernail polish”. Even a microchip can be detected, so are we getting a false sense of security? Especially when all these gadgets are publicly advertised and available.
Just a worried Mom.
about 1 month ago
Great post which tell us to how we can keep eye on our our kids in our absence.
thanks