Sociological Aspects of GPS Tracking in Children Essay

Sociological Aspects of GPS Tracking in Children

The use of GPS tracking devices for children would have an overall negative sociological impact in American society in the 21st century.

Justification: Human microchip implants are identifying circuits or chips that may have two functions: identification and tracking. Both aspects have been available for some time in pets, but there are a number of cultural, legal, and sociological aspects to the process of using these in humans, particularly children, that remain controversial. As early as 2002, companies were experimenting with human implants used for identification and medical information, often using the logic that if information could be stores and retrieved even if a patient was unconscious, it would contribute to saving their lives (Health-care chips, 2006). Applied Digital Solutions have been running tests for the last 8-10 years, but have yet to bring a GPS tracking device for humans to market (Digital Angel, 2013). The issue with GPS tracking in children is more than technology. The technology is available; the applications ready, but is the market ready for the application? Just as with any tool, there are positives and negatives depending on the use. Proponents of the issue believe that use of GPS locators will allow parents to have better control and awareness of their child's whereabouts' -- and in the unfortunate event of a criminal act it would be easier for police to find the child.Opponents see that it is a part of a larger picture -- a Big Brother society in which that chip never goes away, but becomes a way for the government to track all citizens, their behaviors, spending, and geographical location (Gossett, 2003; Tennant, 2010). The cultural and sociological implications of these devices blur into the ethical and moral implications -- rights, responsibilities, fear, need, control (Parents Look, 2002). Indeed, much of the preliminary data is inconclusive -- showing that of the thousands of children who are abducted worldwide, only a small percentage are abducted or harmed by someone other than a family member -- making the safety aspect somewhat moot (Alphonse, 2010, June). Plus, if….....