Child safety is at the top of the list for parents, school teachers, and others who routinely care for children. But caregivers can’t always have their eyes on the child every moment, and that’s why many have begun relying on GPS tracking devices to help keep tabs on youngsters. However, problems sometimes arise when the child forgets his device or takes it off. That’s why KGPS, a new Israel-based start-up company, has developed a child-friendly GPS tracking watch designed specifically for small children.
What’s Different About the New Watch?
The HereO GPS Watch has been designed specifically with kids in mind. The band fits better on small wrists and is harder for children to remove, the watch itself is smaller, and the construction and colors were chosen partially based on the input of kids themselves.
Like other GPS tracking devices, the watch can be programmed to send an alert if a child enters or leaves a designated area. It can send periodic location data to parents and can also provide real-time location information.
GPS tracking watches offer an excellent way for parents to keep tabs on their kids when they’re travelling to and from school, spending some time with friends, or going on a field trip. Using the associated app, parents can check up on their kids using their cell phones and can also monitor the location of other family members who have the app installed on their phones.
Features of the HereO GPS Watch
The HereO GPS Watch has many of the same features included with other GPS watches, but it also has a few different twists. Some of the features include:
| Child-sized wrist band | Designed specifically for 3- to 8-year-old children |
| Basic Features | Water-resistant, displays time only |
| HereO Family Location App | Provides monitoring capability via cell phone; also links to other family members’ cell phones running the app |
| Text messaging via app | The app can broadcast text messages to all phones running the app or to individuals |
| Plot map routes | Use the app to determine the best route to meet a person wearing the watch or carrying a cell phone with the app running |
| Multiple forms of data | View location data periodically or in real time; receive a signal when barriers are crossed |
| Location history | View several months of location information |
| Panic alerts | Tap the watch twice and shake it once in order to send a panic alert |
| Rechargeable Battery | Lasts from 24 to 72 hours per charge |
KGPS plans to begin marketing the watch directly to consumers, but will sell it in stores at a later time.
Will It Be Worth the Expense?
The HereO GPS Watch will cost $149.00, including six months of tracking service. GPS tracking devices provide peace of mind for the people who wear them as well as for their family members. It’s impossible to put a price tag on child safety or on the peace of mind a parent could receive from having detailed location data available at all times. Each family must consider how much time the child spends away from the supervision of parents, what the potential risk factors could be, and whether they have the money to invest. Some circumstances might warrant the use of a GPS tracking device more than others, such as:
- Families in which the child visits another parent in a different home on a regular basis
- Children who spend a lot of time with a nanny or babysitter
- Children who ride the bus or walk to school
- Children who have activities after school when parents are not able to attend
- Children who take a field trip or overnight trip
- Family vacations to a busy theme park or other crowded place
What Else Should You Consider?
No one likes to think about the possibility of kidnapping, abduction, or a child simply getting lost, but the truth is that these things do happen. Nationwide, over 2,000 children are reported missing each day. GPS tracking may not be able to keep people with criminal intentions away from your child, but it can help track them down and put them behind bars if something does happen. In addition, if your child becomes lost, GPS tracking can help you find him or her quickly, reducing the amount of stress and anxiety for both you and your child.
A watch may not be the best solution for every child. Some children carry a cell phone, wear a GPS tracking device clipped to a backpack or pocket, or wear some other kind of alert device. All of these can be excellent ways to help keep your children safe. Ultimately, your decision depends on what works best for your family, how much time your child spends away from your supervision, and what specific needs and expectations you have in terms of tools for monitoring the location of your child at any given time.
Child-Friendly GPS Watch Can Help Keep Kids Safer
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