In a world where surveillance is the new normal, a startling question arises: Why would anyone want to track their loved ones like they’re suspects in a thriller? Yet, this is exactly what’s happening as parents increasingly rely on phones and AirTags to monitor their children’s every move. But here’s where it gets controversial: over 70 health professionals, including psychologists and doctors, have sounded the alarm, calling this trend “deeply concerning” and urging parents to rethink their approach. Their open letter (https://www.generationfocus.org/sign-our-letter-on-tracking/) highlights a chilling reality: constant tracking sends kids the message that the world is inherently dangerous, stifling their ability to develop independence and life skills. And this is the part most people miss: there’s zero evidence that tracking actually makes children safer.
Clare Fernyhough, co-founder of Generation Focus, puts it bluntly: ‘While it’s natural to want to protect our kids, we’re not helping them by treating them like prisoners in a digital panopticon.’ The invasion of privacy is staggering—imagine being watched 24/7, your every step scrutinized. I tried it once with my son during a school trip to Lille. A group of moms suggested using AirTags, and I reluctantly agreed. I watched his dot creep toward St Pancras station, only for it to freeze there indefinitely. The anxiety was unbearable—was he lost? Hurt? Or just tying his shoelace? The mix of too much and too little information was maddening. Technology promised peace of mind but delivered paranoia instead.
My son, now 11, recently started secondary school and takes the bus alone. We gave him a basic phone for emergencies and asked if he’d mind being tracked. His response? ‘Why? Just call me if you need to know where I am.’ His logic was unassailable. Yet, I’m the odd one out. Most parents I know track their kids—and even their partners. At a recent dinner, I was met with stunned silence when I admitted I don’t monitor my husband’s location. ‘It’s a violation of trust,’ I explained. ‘And who wants to feel like they’re married to a GPS tracker?’
Here’s the kicker: tracking isn’t just overbearing—it’s dehumanizing. It reduces people to data points, erasing their autonomy. Teens, especially, need room to make mistakes and grow. As experts warn, this ‘invisible umbilical cord’ between parent and child is stifling their journey to adulthood. But what do you think? Is tracking a necessary evil in today’s world, or are we crossing a line? Let’s debate—because this isn’t just about technology; it’s about trust, freedom, and what it means to truly care for someone.
