GPS Tracking Replaces ?Helicopter Parenting?

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/b1vpx)
All parents know the fears associated with protecting their children from bad people and questionable situations. Many teenagers know the frustrations resulting from overly protective parents. Parents want to make sure their child is safe. Teens want to try out their newly found wings and venture into adulthood. Thus, conflict results. No parent wants to stunt the growth of a child. However, good parents want to stay active in their children's lives and protect them from unscrupulous activities that they are not mature enough to handle on their own just yet. Some people call that “helicopter parenting” because the parent never leaves the child alone to grow and learn. How can families walk the fine line between independence and safety? The answer lies with a high-tech device that is used more commonly than people think - GPS tracking.

Some parents and teens may find GPS teen tracking provides the solution. Many current GPS devices go beyond the more traditional uses as directional aids. For instance, two of the emerging types of GPS devices are personal tracking and vehicle tracking. Both of which can provide parents with peace of mind. Owners of these GPS devices can use them to keep an eye on their children’s actions and driving without invading their personal space or hindering their independence.

Most families don’t have children involved in feats such as Abby Sutherland’s attempt to circumnavigate the globe, (mentioned on a previous blog article) or Leigh Anne Drake’s thirteen-year-old son’s climb of Mt. Everest. In fact, most parents will question the judgment of a parent who allows their children to take such risks. However, just as teen tracking provided peace of mind for these parents, it can, through helping them stay aware of their child’s actions and location, provide a similar peace of mind for parents facing more everyday concerns.

For instance, teen tracking can help parents know where a young driver goes, what traffic laws they may break, and what speeds and locations the car experiences. Help your teen make good choices about friends and help them avoid dangerous situations. For example, although most parents probably never allow their thirteen-year-old to climb Mt. Everest, they may allow him or her to travel to a new, unfamiliar city. Tracking devices can ensure the teen stays safe or is found should a situation arise. It’s a good “Plan B” type of reassurance for the parents even though they have counseled their son or daughter on what to do in various situations.

Although many parents may feel these devices invade privacy, most will find that they actually provide the needed balance between parental control and teenage independence. By making sure that good habits are enforced, teens will have a better chance at survival alone, without Mom and Dad protecting them. In fact, most parents with children would do well to purchase a GPS teen tracking device.

(Article written by Greg Bartlett for Rocky Mountain Tracking, Inc.)