LoJack that Kid!

I remember going to Disneyland as a kid and seeing other kids "tethered" to their mom or dad's wrist.  A Kid Leash.  Most of us have seen it.  Some of you parents out there may have used it.  I'm not here to judge.  I don't have kids of my own, so I don't know what it is like to try to keep your kid safe.  But it always disgusted me a little bit.

Well, Sprint has done the ol' Kid Leash one better.  Kid LoJack.  To be fair, the kid gets a cell phone.  Check out the story in the USA Today.  The call it the "Sprint Family Locator."  And, also in fairness, the phone has to be on.  So, need to make a trip somewhere you're not supposed to?  Turn off the phone.  "I dunno, ma! I had the phone on.  I swear I was at the library the whole time!"

Mom or Dad can track Junior either from their phone or from a computer via the internet.  According to the guy who reviewed this for USA Today, it's not very effective.  The location accuracy is often only within hundred of yards.  But I guess it's better than nothing.  Besides, if we're talking about missing children, knowing where the child was within a thousand yard radius would be extremely valuable.

Comments

[financial freedumb]

This technology supposed to be a hit in Japan...I think it'll do well here too, especially for $10/mo. I was pleasantly suprised that Sprint doesn't allow it to be a spy tool, letting the user know they are being "located." That's good...

[Frugal Homemaker]

My mother got yelled at by several strangers for the kid leash the one time she used it. She was traveling with me, age 4, and my sister who liked to run off and hide under things, age 2. Alone. Starting in New York City. Through several airports. To this day she still cringes when she thinks of those people. So I don't mind the kid leash.

But the phone thing creeps me out. A 2 year old in an airport running off is a bit different than a lying teenager. At least, as somebody says above, they let the user know about the "location." I can see it moving from kids the workplace.

[Amanda]

I don't know about the phone thing - seems a little too "big brother" for my liking!

Also, I don't have kids, but the leash thing is kinda weird too me, I can't explain it. Can't you just watch your kids with your eyes?!

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