I think that there are clear pros and cons to the idea of implementing GPS tracking into children, teenagers and the elderly. The pros for putting them into children, is that if they get lost, it would be much easier to find them. For example, in a busy department store, if they run off, a GPS would be able to find them, so that would be much easier for parents to keep track of their kids. And if a young child was to be kidnapped, the GPS would make them easier to find, and there would be less missing kids in the country. However, I believe that at some point, a parent has to be willing to trust their kids to make their own decisions and their own mistakes. If a parent is insistent on having GPS chips in their teenagers, a kid will feel like they are always under constant watch. They can’t go anywhere without their parents knowing, and at some point that becomes over bearing and ridiculous. If they go missing, then yes it would be helpful for the teenager to have a GPS chip in them, but for everyday, it would be unfair for a teenager not to be able to go places without being suspicious of being watched by their parents. For the elderly, especially people with dementia or alzheimer’s disease, a GPS chip would also help the people caring for them. That would be the trickiest situation of the three though, because these are grown people, who would go from complete freedom, to being under constant supervision. Yes, if they get lost and don’t know where to go, it would be helpful for finding them, but they are adults and shouldn’t have to feel like they are being treated like babies. I think the idea of GPS shoes would be a great choice, because a young child or mentally diseased adult wouldn’t know that they were wearing shoes with GPS and wouldn’t have to worry about it. But a teenager would probably be tech savvy enough to know that and would have the option of taking the shoes off, and wouldn’t be constantly watched by their parents.
I think that you made some really good points about the pros and cons of implementing tracking systems into children, teenagers, and seniors. I definitely agree that it would be unfair for a teenager to go out under constant watch. Their parents should trust them and give them some space. I also liked your reasoning about tracking devices in the elderly being the trickiest situation. I did not think of it this way, but it makes sense and it is actually really sad. It is sad that they would feel like they are being treated like babies, but it is done with the best intentions.
ReplyDeleteWell put, GPS is a interesting scenario due to the nature of the technology. While I personally feel that teenagers, including myself when I was still in high school, would near refuse to be under surveillance 24/7, there are many issues that come up since they are not technically adults which means that the parents could control something like that until they can legally make this choice. I could see that with a technology like this there could be a age that allows the child to have a say in whether or not a technology like this remains inside them.
ReplyDeleteIn regard to senior citizens I think there would have to be something that can be turned on and off. While this idea would only work 100% in a Eutopian society I think that something that could be activated when needed is a medium that does not completely invade their privacy.
I agree with you for the teenager part. When teenagers first reach high school, like me, wanted more freedom. I just wouldn't want the feeling that someone is always watching me. It's sketchy, even if it is your parents or not. I just don't see the purpose for the tracking device, especially for teenagers
ReplyDeleteI completely agree in the reasons justifying a use of GPS Computer chips being implanted in children. They give an aid to parents, law enforcement, or whomever needs to protect the child. Whether it be lost, kidnapped, or a runaway child, it is a safety precaution that is very good. I do also agree that as a teenager, a child has their own rights to privacy revolving around their own specific whereabouts.
ReplyDeleteYou made a very good point about elderly people with dementia or Alzheimer's. It might be very difficult for them to accept losing a feeling of freedom.
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