One issue that has universal agreement, regardless of politics or culture, is keeping children safe. The marketplace is responding with products that reflect a growing demand for active protection for children. For example, there is the bulletproof backpack available during this back-to-school buying season.

In the United Kingdom, there is a company that is developing clothing for children that allows GPS (global positioning system) tracking:

“Lancashire-based school uniform manufacturer, Trutex is developing clothing that will carry satellite tracking devices so parents can keep tabs on the whereabouts of their kids.”

link: Trackable schoolwear in development

Perhaps it is the technological zeitgeist - constant surveillance. The children, being adaptable, would become used to this type of tracking. However, it begs the question as to when this tracking ceases. Is there an age limit? Or does it never cease?

If the children of this present technological age grow up to accept this as the ‘norm’, what are the implications for privacy and security in the future? It is conceivable that family members could know each others location and activity every moment of every day. At that point, the social imperative will be that security always trumps the antiquated notion of privacy. And there will be absolutely no need to ask a question like ‘what are you doing?‘. It will be public information.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]gps, tracking, clothing, security, privacy, surveillance, children[/tags]