Yes, she could have any mobile she liked (she’s a huge iPhone fan). But no. Maybe in 5 years. I like the idea of her sharing ideas, images and videos with family and friends. But trust is an issue – cost control, internet access control and spam bluetooth/sms. No tracking!

Firstly, the risk: Children are no more likely to be abducted now than they ever were. This is born out the world over.

Secondly, the trust: what does this tell your child about how much you trust them?

Thirdly, the reality: this wil not stop an abduction. “tol ensure the safety of…” – Aaarggh! a cellphone does not ensure bugger all. It can’t even ‘ensure’ seamless coverage, data or voice connection. Are you going to sue your MNO if your child is abducted and the system fails to report it because of a database error, lost connection, billing error suspending the account, etc?

If you wanted to nab a child, the first thing you’d do is bin their mobile. And as for untrusting parents wondering if their darling is off with that unapproved-of love interest, guess what? kids swap phones. Or there’s an off button. Or tinfoil. Most children are abducted by parents or relatives who they trust. A few headline cases a year of genuine stranger-abductions (that sell a lot of copy and make a lot of money for media barons and mobile tracking start-ups) does not an abduction pandemic make.

We didn’t have or need this when we were growing up. Parents who use this need to take a long, hard look at themselves and ask what sort of child they are raising. A dumb animal to be tracked like a dog and punished for straying, or a resourceful, savvy individual who is trusted to do the right thing.

Your child has a mobile. OK, that’s handy. Give them a bloody phone call if you need to know what time they will be home. Arguably, giving them a mobile makes them even *more* likely to be somewhere they shouldn’t, as they can easily fake being somewhere they aren’t by conference calling their friends in at home. Mum rings Mandy’s to ask to speak to darling Sarah. Mandy says ‘hang on’, dials Sarah in the back seat of her boyfriend’s car, patches her in and presto – Sarah appears to be at Mandy’s.

If you don’t trust yourt child to be out without a GPS tag or mobile trace running, then maybe they shouldn’t be out at all.

Or is abdication of parental responsability through technology the new black?

Anyone who seriously buys into this need their head read. And the people running it are making money based on unfounded, illogical fear and ill-feeling between parents and children. Shame on them.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4922470.stm

Grrr….