Consumer Reports. Some do not provide the option for children or their parents to disable the data collection or selling — this pertains to the child’s data, since they are the ones using the GPS device. Another concern is that not all of these devices are equipped with crucial online security features to help guard against unauthorized access.
When parents seek to buy trackers for their children, these devices generally fall into a few primary categories. There are Bluetooth trackers usually employed to tag and monitor personal items, like baggage, which are now being adapted for kids. There are GPS trackers similar to those found on smartphones and Google Maps, and akin to your phone, they often necessitate a monthly subscription charge to transmit your child’s location via cellular networks. Lastly, there are smartwatches uniquely created for children that come with the additional advantage of being able to communicate with the parent beyond just GPS tracking. Below, we will discuss some alternatives in each category, along with what Consumer Reports discovered about their privacy and security measures.