Parents track their kids with Apple AirTags

The talk show “Good Morning America” featured a mom who monitors her 3-year-old daughter using an Apple AirTag. Brooke King says the gadget helps her “feel more in control of the situation” and remain calm while caring for Kella. Believe it or not, social media platforms like TikTok show it is a growing trend among parents.

Technology changes every facet of daily life, down to how we raise the next generation. Consequently, we see more parents try the latest gadgets and apps to keep their children safe. However, we must understand the short-term and long-term consequences of applying the latest tech before using it on our kids. That will enable parents to make informed decisions.

This article will discuss why parents use Apple AirTags to monitor their kids. Later, I will share insights from a doctor regarding its benefits and risks.

Why do parents use Apple AirTags on kids?

Let’s start by discussing Brooke King’s Good Morning America interview. She found looking after her kid outdoors physically and mentally draining, but she couldn’t give a smartphone to her 3-year-old daughter.

“I always find myself running after her quickly,” King told the talk show. “I didn’t want to teach her that if she ran off, I would just run after her, and it was okay to continue this behavior.”

That is why King made her daughter wear an AirTag like a bracelet. Consequently, the mom can check her iPhone and see Kella’s exact location if they get separated.

“It does help me feel more in control of the situation. As a parent, my top priority is her safety in addition to her ability to have some independence,” the mother added.

GMA said that an iPhone will immediately recognize digital tags once they enter close proximity. Also, users can assign custom names to Apple AirTags.

Parenting expert Ericka Souter told Good Morning America these Tags are great for giving children independence and letting parents look out for their kids.

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“If you have little ones who may be walking to school alone for the first time or going to after-school activities and you just want to make sure that they’re safe, [an AirTag might be a good idea],” Souter explained. “Parents have a lot of safety concerns in this day and age.”

Another mother demonstrated using Apple AirTags for the same reason on TikTok. Unfortunately, the news website Today said Vada Stevens got called a “crazy mom” for doing so.

“You can find them on Amazon, and you can track them and make a beeping noise. And you can train your kids to come when they hear the beeping noise,” Stevens added.

Should you use an Apple AirTag for parenting?

Photo Credit: amazon.com

This trend has been trending lately, so numerous websites like Business Insider have covered it. Rebekah Diamond, a Columbia University professor of pediatrics, told the outlet Apple AirTags could be useful in specific situations:

“When you’re in a crowded place, there are real safety concerns in which having some way to see where your kid is could certainly make sense,” Diamond said. Also, licensed associate professional counselor Meagan Turner said it could prevent kids from repeatedly sneaking out of the house.

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However, Diamond reminds parents children need some independence to learn how to be safe alone. “I’m a big fan of allowing as much free play as possible once I set the limits to make the situation as safe as possible.”

“I think constant technological limit setting could interfere with the play itself and with the child’s sense of being able to explore on their own what’s a safe limit and not,” she added. “To me, that seems like the risk would outweigh the reward.”

Constant surveillance unintentionally violates their trust. Eventually, that may cause your kids to withhold important information from you. Also, Turner said communicating with kids via trackers could cause them anxiety. “It’s almost like being on call for your boss, wondering when your parents are going to call,” she explained.

Conclusion

More parents are using Apple AirTags to keep an eye on their children. Moms said it helped them have peace of mind but caused mixed reactions among netizens.

Some thought it was a brilliant idea they should try on their kids. On the other hand, others felt it was weird and intrusive to attach a tracker to your children.

This article does not provide parenting advice. Please consult a professional if you need assistance in caring for your offspring. For the latest digital trends, check out Inquirer Tech.