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In principle I agree we don’t need to track our kids. But when I was I a free range kid in the 80s, there were pay phones at every corner, I carried coins and a

In principle I agree we don’t need to track our kids. But when I was I a free range kid in the 80s, there were pay phones at every corner, I carried coins and a calling card so could reach my parents. Now they have to interact with an adult somewhere to use their personal phone. And the adult has to trust this isn’t a ruffian looking to swipe his phone for kicks. But a cell capable watch for $200 is pretty compelling; the Apple SE is sync only right, so equivalent apple watch is $350+?

nicoburns 2y ago
Why not give them a cell phone but not install tracking software on it?
- faeriechangling 2y ago
  It’s not strapped to their wrist so it’s easier to lose for starters.
  - slothtrop 2y ago
    Yes but presumably this is a convenience for older kids and we're not expecting toddlers to roam about anywhere, gps or otherwise. They're capable of taking responsibility for a device.
    - lolinder 2y ago
      There are a huge range of kids between toddlers and teenagers, and a huge range of variation in levels of responsibility between different children of the same age. Some kids are totally trustworthy when it comes to roaming but at the same time completely flaky when it comes to keeping track of expensive personal belongings. And, needless to say, if you conscientiously avoid location tracking on the device then you can't use tracking to find it when it's inevitably misplaced.
    - faeriechangling 2y ago
      There is a rather strong correlation between the type of kid who would most benefit from this device, and the type of kid who is most likely to irresponsibly lose a phone. I'm imagining a child with ADHD who compulsively elopes.
- nytesky 2y ago
  Any $$ hardware I give my kid will need device tracking, because they will likely misplace it more than once. And once you have device tracking… you have tracking. And the other poster is right, wrist format is best for kids.

nicoburns 2y ago

Why not give them a cell phone but not install tracking software on it?

faeriechangling 2y ago
It’s not strapped to their wrist so it’s easier to lose for starters.
- slothtrop 2y ago
  Yes but presumably this is a convenience for older kids and we're not expecting toddlers to roam about anywhere, gps or otherwise. They're capable of taking responsibility for a device.
  - lolinder 2y ago
    There are a huge range of kids between toddlers and teenagers, and a huge range of variation in levels of responsibility between different children of the same age. Some kids are totally trustworthy when it comes to roaming but at the same time completely flaky when it comes to keeping track of expensive personal belongings. And, needless to say, if you conscientiously avoid location tracking on the device then you can't use tracking to find it when it's inevitably misplaced.
  - faeriechangling 2y ago
    There is a rather strong correlation between the type of kid who would most benefit from this device, and the type of kid who is most likely to irresponsibly lose a phone. I'm imagining a child with ADHD who compulsively elopes.
nytesky 2y ago
Any $$ hardware I give my kid will need device tracking, because they will likely misplace it more than once. And once you have device tracking… you have tracking. And the other poster is right, wrist format is best for kids.