GPS tracking devices for kids getting cheaper

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 by: Paul Louis, staff writer
Tags: GPS tracking, children, health news

(Natural News) The October 27, 2009 Chicago Sun Times ran a short article promoting a new GPS (global positioning system) that parents could use for their kids. It's called the "The Little Buddy Child Tracker". The retail price from an electronics and appliance chain store was $100, considered a bargain compared to similar items ranging from $200 to $500.

The "Little Buddy" is small enough to place in a backpack or lunch pail. It will send a text message if a child leaves a preprogrammed location at the wrong time. It even notifies the parent if the battery is running low. It's not established if the Little Buddy could help locate a child who is not where he or she should be for a parent to meet or pick up.

One of the article's readers commented on hidden costs, such as monthly or annual usage fees. Some of the other readers had protested the use of such a device pointing out that it would encourage children to run away after being monitored so closely and often.

Most others defended it. According to a commenter, one in 42 children go missing or are abducted. One out of three female children are abused while one out of five male children undergo similar fates. Another commenter offered the fact that GPS tracking devices can be used for non-human items such as laptop computers, cameras, and guns.

The "Little Buddy" links the child to a parent's computer or smart phone. It combines cellular and GPS technology to give you real time locations of your child. Since it can be in a child's possession often for hours at a time, a concern over increased EMF radiation exposure to the child may be valid.

This technology has been used in cars for several years. According to EMFBlues.com, "Although convenient, GPS Tracking and Bluetooth technology utilize the same microwave radiation as cell towers. Both increase the wireless radiation in your car."

Whether this can adversely affect a child carrying or wearing a GPS tracking device is unknown at this time.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.suntimes.com/technology/1847999,C...

http://www.emfblues.com/Car-Radiation-Hybrid...