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By Harriette Halepis

One of the biggest fears within the minds of parents is that their children will get hurt. Whether they are at school, outside playing, or at a friend’s house, this concern is a real one. Parents are also wary of being “helicopter parents,” constantly hovering over their children and making sure they are safe while preventing their children from having any fun. How can this seemingly impenetrable dichotomy be resolved? GPS tracking can help.

GPS sensors, which can be placed on belt loops or sewn into clothing, keep a close eye on children when parents simply can’t. If a child, for instance, is out playing, and the GPS system shows that the child hasn’t moved for a while, then parents will not only know that something is awry, but they will also know where their child can be located. GPS technology, almost paradoxically with all of its “Big Brother” connotations, allows children more freedom. If a child wants to go bicycling with the neighbor kids, parents with GPS technology can rest easy knowing that if something occurs to their child, they will be the very first to know. In the event of an emergency, GPS simply provides more time for action. Those extra few minutes are crucial in the event of an emergency.

GPS can also help if (heaven forbid) a child is abducted by a predator. The first question rushing through the frantic mind of a parent in that situation is, “Where is my child?!” GPS answers that question in a few seconds. Many children who have been hurt by predators in the past could have been protected with GPS technology, and with the modern affordability of GPS technology, many children will be saved by the technology. Imagine if GPS had been involved in some of the more famous stories of child abductions. These horrific stories would not have been told at all. Fortunately, with GPS, these stories can all but be eliminated from the future.

Being a parent is stressful enough. Why worry about the safety of children? GPS technology frees the psyche of the stress involved in worrying about children’s safety and allows the mind to focus on more positive and productive things, such as caring and nurturing for the emotional life of one’s children. Concern for the safety of one’s children will never be erased completely – it’s a natural part of being a parent, and it is healthy. However, GPS systems help not only to ease that stress, but also to allow the parent to act responsibly and proactively in the case of an emergency.