AUSTRALIAN parents soon will be able to "tag and track" their
children by satellite.
Two United States companies have unveiled tracking bracelets that can
locate a child within 60 seconds of a distress call being sent.
The bracelets transmit a signal that is picked up by the Global
Positioning System network of navigational satellites.
The bracelets also can be set to sound an alarm if a child wanders
beyond programmed limits.
The devices, which look like watches, are being sold by rival US
companies who are modifying them to suit Australia's communications
systems.
One of them, Digital Solutions, also expects to soon release a
tracking microchip that can be embedded beneath a child's skin.
A spokesman for the other company, Wherify Wireless, said interest
had skyrocketed since the deaths of British schoolgirls Jessica Chapman
and Holly Wells.
But he dismissed claims the companies were cashing in on parents'
panic and invading children's privacy.
"How can you criticise a device that helps parents monitor their
children?" he said.
"It's ludicrous to criticise technology that is going to save a
life."
A spokesman for Federal Youth Affairs Minister Larry Anthony said the
Government would not support introduction of the bracelets.
"It's completely over the top and inappropriate for Australia," the
spokesman said. "(Mr Anthony) would not use them on his own kids."
The Wherify device, which can be locked on to a child's wrist, sells
for $US400 ($A740). Parents pay a monthly service charge of up to $A90.
They can log on to an internet site that displays an aerial photo or
street map location of their child.
Police have warned that concrete and steel can absorb the GPS signal,
meaning children in basements or large buildings may not be found.
NSW Child Protection Enforcement Agency commander John Heslop said
there was no substitute for supervision.
"What irritates me is that a lot of parents (who buy the bracelets)
would not even know who their child is talking to on the Internet in
their own bedroom," he said.
Sunday Mail (QLD)