GPS Wristwatch for Kids

1010011010 writes "A company called 'Wherify Wireless' has created a $400 watch with a built-in pager, GPS unit and wireless data connectivity. It's targeted at families with kids. According to their website, 'Wherify's GPS Personal Locator helps keep loved ones safe by combining Wherify's patented technology with the U.S. Department of Defense's multi-billion dollar Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites plus the largest 100% digital, nationwide PCS wireless network.' It includes a pager, clock, two-button '911' calling (parent can disable this), and remote-control keyfob (to lock and unlock it) for the parents. It is apparently water- and kid-resistant, and can be locked onto the wrist so that it cannot be removed (easily). $400 plus $35 a month... that's a lot more money than those stretchy wrist-leashes I see at the mall." There are so many things wrong with this that I don't even know where to begin.

Comments

Ah yes

[gazbo]

What I like to call the 'rape story effect'. It applies to many situations, this, rape debates, drug debates...just about anything with an emotional element.

You'll always end up with one person who says 'Well *ACTUALLY* it happened to me, so my opinion is clearly right, your opinion is clearly wrong, and you're not allowed to argue against me because bad things happened to me'

I've had many debates on such subjects, and in the case of a debate on rape (whether a particular case could really be called rape - I forget exactly) a girl made some poor, reflexive comments, I shot her down, and she said 'Well *ACTUALLY* I've been raped!' As if that's supposed to make a fucking difference. From then on of course, half the people pussy-footed around her, and criticised me for continuing to shoot her down.

Please don't do the same shit here, I am notorious IRL for having zero sympathy when people use misfortune to make a point

IHBT?

Re:My house, my rules, regardless of age

[SLi]

And when you live in the country where *I* am the president, you live by my *MY* rules. Right? Right. Now, let us in and we'll install the camera in your house. Welcome to United Soviet States of America.

Lets abolish all freedom of choice!

[Zero__Kelvin]

Folks ... this isn't an article about a law being passed requiring the use and implementation of this technology. The tool simply provides an option to parents. The greatest harm that could possibly come from a parent using it is that the kid might be annoyed that he can't remove this thing that has been placed on his or her wrist in the interest of their own good and by the parent!

It might surprise a lot of you to discover that a big part of a parents job is to do things for their children's own good, even though the kid might not like it.

It may also surprise you to know that children can and do get lost or abducted every day. This tool helps prevent this. The government is not getting involved in the welfare of the child, and nobody is forcing the parent to exercise the option . Here in America freedom of choice is supposed to be sacro-sanct, and this tool merely provides the parent with an option . Michael can't begin to say what's wrong with this, because there is absolutely nothing wrong with it!

If the government starts suddenly mandating their use, then that is another thing entirely, and should be fodder for the privacy rights folks (such as myself) in a separate Slashdot article. This thing provides freedom of choice and can only be benificial. It's a very good thing, which would be readily apparent to those who actually stopped to think before they post ... really ....