GPS Tracking Device in Jackets

In London a British clothing company, Bladerunner, has created a jacket which includes a GPS tracking device. The device is embedded in the lining. It was initially for adults who were climbing mountains, skiing, or snowboarding. It was supposed to help find them in case of avalanches or injuries. However, now it is designed to help parents keep track of their children.

The ethical issue is over personal privacy. Parents have always been able to break the barrier of their children’s personal privacy, but with new technology it seems the child has no privacy. The jacket will tell the parents if the child has left school, are at a boyfriend’s house, or leaving town. Moreover, parents could buy this jacket for their children and not even mention the tracking device. The child would get caught every time he or she tried to do something "against the rules." They could never go anywhere without feeling like someone was out their watching their every move.

However, parents do have a right to watch their children. They are responsible for their actions and many parents would use the device to keep their children safe. Children could no longer lie to their parent about where they were going, and therefore could not go anywhere unsafe. Also, they would be unable to skip school or lie about going to a party, which again is for the safety of the child.

These GPS tracking devices are becoming more and more popular for protecting the safety of the child. However, where does one draw the line? Are students in college or high school still allowed to be monitored by their parents? At what age do children have the right to personal privacy? Furthermore, do parents have this much right to violate their child’s privacy, especially if they do not inform them about the tracking device. Even though parents are protecting their child the devices are not guaranteed to keep them out of trouble. Also, parents and children often differ on the terms of safety. Many parents may get the device to keep their child away from a boyfriend, girlfriend, or a friend they do not approve. This, however, does not necessarily have to do with safety but the child’s right to pick their friends. This device will arise many problems in the future.

Also, children are smart enough to lose the tracking device or leave it in a safe place where their parents will not worry. This of course will cause problems because the parent will not really know where their child is. If something were to go wrong they would be in the dark about what their child has been up to. Furthermore, children, especially the pre-teens and teenagers, will see this as more constrictions and rules and feel the need to rebel against them.

I feel that these devices are going to cause more problems then solve. Parents and children are going to have to sit down and discuss the line between personal privacy and safety.