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

Re:What is Wrong?

[Matthias Wiesmann]

I'm no psychologue, but I suspect that if the child knows you can know were it is all the time this will have some effect. One thing childs need to do is cut the umbilical cord and become autonomous human. This kind of device might have the reverse effect. Have a problem? push the button.

Also I fear that it will create a false sense of security for parents. This gizmo might work against people would kidnap kids (which is a rare event) but won't protect them from harm (which is much more probable).

The bottom line is were is the line between protection and overprotection. If I were worried about the safety of my child, I would first consider moving to a safer place, and not letting it alone.

A third use...

[nordicfrost]

People here have mentioned kidnapping and elderly as groups with need for this watch. I also believe that victims of violent crimes will benefit from these watches. Here in Norway, some people with a special need to stay in contact with the cops, like women with abusive exes and imigrant women with psycho families get the "Voldsalarm" device. This device automatically connect to the police by pressing two buttons and sends out a homing signal.

This wristwatch is much more practical for this use.

Re:A third use...

[nordicfrost]

No. Thankfully, you are not allowed to carry weapons in Norway. The result is simple, a relative 96% less guncrimes and 60% less violent crime than the US (Adjusted for population numbers, source SSB). Every street in all the large towns are safe at night and the overall violent crimerate is dropping. Without guns. You are allowed to own a gun under some conditions:
1. The gun must be registered at the police
2. You must be approved to get a registration
3. You must be a member of a gun club for at least two years to register
4. You must have at least 40 hours of gun training and experience
5. Firing a gun is only allowed during hunting (Shotguns, rifles) or at a range (Pistols, revolvers)
6. Guns are to be stored away from ammo
7. The sliding piece (Or a significant part) is not allowed to be stored with the gun

I was in the military (We have drafting here) and learned to use the AG-3 and fired some 1000+ rounds. My service weapon was, however, the Glock 17 standard issue (5000+ rounds). I'm quite familiar with weapons, but I would never, NEVER allow one in my house. Ever. The the violence alarms WORK. Incredibly enough without killing or hurting anyone, but by alarming the police and making sure the arrive. What a strange concet, huh?

Re:To be fair...

[Chelloveck]

[...] they also don't want their three year old to take such an expensive little piece of equipment off and toss it in the street.

Precisely! Actually, an abductor wouldn't care about the value of the device and would probably cut the band immediately and toss the thing out the window. A small kid, on the other hand, may remove it simply because he/she can. You'd want to prevent that. (Although, it'd be easy to find if it did get lost!)

This device is not a bad thing. I wouldn't force it on an older child who didn't want it, but it sounds like a great thing for small children. Case in point -- We spend about a week each summer camping in the north woods. My wife is terrified that our 4yo will wander off. (Not that he's really prone to doing this, but moms are good at irrational fear. :-) Getting lost at a shopping mall is one thing -- The kid will eventually be seen wandering without parents and be taken to the mall office or some-such. Getting lost in the woods literally miles from the nearest houses is quite different.

Those Garmin FRS radios with the GPS features are also wonderfully attractive, for the same reasons. They're all a bit too pricey, but once something like this hits the $100 price-point we'll probably get a few.

These things shouldn't be used to check up on a kid you don't trust. I wouldn't want to use one to keep them honest. But don't discount them as "evil tools of Da Man". Like any tool, they can be used for good or bad.

A Better and Cheaper Idea.

[evilviper]

The best way to protect your child or yourself is to give them a de-activated cell-phone.

Go out and but a cell-phone (can be damn cheap) and use it for the first month or whatever they require. After that, cancel the service. Far too few people realize that even an unserviced cell-phone MUST be able to call 911. Older cellphones might be difficult to locate, but newer ones come with GPS with the very intent that emergency personell may locate the origin of the emergency call.

Now, that may not be an option for extremely young children, but after they can talk, the first thing every kid has hammered into his head is how to call 911.

So, you have a much less potentially intrusive option, which just happens to not cost you anything per month.

so begin anyway

[aozilla]

There are so many things wrong with this that I don't even know where to begin.

Yeah, why spend your time adding information and opinions to the topic when you can spend it looking for more redundant writeups contributed by unpaid volunteers.