Child trackers raise safety and privacy concerns in Vorarlberg

As parents worry about their children reaching school safely, more are using GPS apps and smartwatches to monitor their whereabouts, ORF Vorarlberg reports. Child and youth advocate Christian Netzer says he understands the desire for protection but stresses that children also need freedom to develop.

Smartwatches are increasingly being worn by children, and their use is affecting lessons. Calls, including calls from parents, have come through during class, Netzer said. Children then start handling the devices during lessons.

Many schools have rules governing mobile phones, but smartwatches are not always covered by those regulations, Netzer said.

Children and parents can also become anxious that a watch might switch off, run out of battery or transmit incorrect information. Adults should consider the child’s development, Netzer said, and avoid creating the impression that the outside world is constantly dangerous. In extreme cases, this can lead to “helicoptering”, or continuous monitoring.

Privacy concerns

Netzer also questioned the data protection implications. The servers used by many providers are outside the European Union and therefore are not subject to European regulations, he said. This means third-party companies may know where a child is. Servers used by cheaper providers may also be easier to hack, according to Netzer. He said no specific case connected with this issue was currently known.

If parents only want to stay in contact with their child, Netzer recommends a basic keypad phone that the child can switch off. Parents should also discuss location tracking with their child in advance. Trying things out is part of childhood and growing up, he said.