Whilst reading the Guardian today I stumbled upon an article detailing a new watch for children. The watch, which retails at about £150 and contains a GPS unit enables a parent to track the child no matter where they go.
The concerning parent can recieve texts pinpointing the position of the child at any time. The parent can also receive notification if the child removes the watch.
I fully understand parents ever increasing need to check on their child I think this is yet another decline in personal growth. When I was a child there were no mobile phones, easily availble GPS or Ipods. If I was to go out I would tell my parents where, when I would return and who I was going with. It was then my duty to honor that. In doing so I believe it taught me responsibility and empowered me from a young age to become a responsible adult. If I were to betray their trust, and they found out I would naturally be punished. Granted I would always have money for a public pay phone, but in general there would be no need to call.
My father, a very loving and caring man regularly calls my sisters, to check where they are. This leads to their frustration and refusal to answer their phones, thus rendering the benefit of them carrying one practically useless. The phone and furthermore the GPS tracking watch will, in my opinion, remove the trust and personal responsibility from parental relationships. Children no longer have to honour their promise out of choice, developing responsibility they have been given.
The point that I’m trying to get at is that without being trusted how can the youth of today be expected to grow up as mature responsible and independent people. The same could be said of the mobile phone. From my own I have seen how it changes the interaction between parent and child.
Instead they will now rely on their parents to make decisions about right and wrong for them. If they do something they should not their parents will tell them, not their conscience. Whilst being extreme, its just one step further to the Big Brother mentality that the UK seems to be falling into.