When Victoria’s son started school this year, she was nervous about the transition. Following the advice of another mother at her son’s school, she purchased a smartwatch that allowed her to remotely track his location. But the Sydney-based mother, who is using a pseudonym for privacy reasons, says she became obsessive about his whereabouts.
But the use of such technology raises a number of questions – none easily answered – around ethics, privacy and childhood development.The main message, both behind the marketing of such technology and parents’ reasons for using it, is that tracking increases safety. But Dr Simon Coghlan, a senior lecturer in digital ethics at The University of Melbourne who co-authored a, says the extent to which they actually increase safety is contested.
For parents of autistic children, where wandering – the phenomenon of wandering off in public places due to distraction or overwhelm – is common, the use of tracking apps is often recommended. But clinical psychologist Marie Camin says dealing with the causes of wandering, like sensory overload, should always be the first port of call. She thinks tracking devices should only be used as a temporary solution, such as in the initial stages of a diagnosis.
Privacy for all children is important, says Khuman, who suggests parents talk to their kids to establish boundaries around the use of tracking apps. Since their use is relatively new, Coghlan says we’re yet to see the full implications on child development. “It’s a bit of a social experiment.”