Herald on Sunday Editorial: How much tracking should a parent do?

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Opinion

We have a nervous relationship with the wonders we have made. Digital technology is so wondrous that even when it is helpful we worry that it could do us harm. Our Sunday Insight feature today describes applications that let mothers watch their babies asleep in another room, receive alerts if their infants stray outside a set range, check that their children have arrived at school and keep tabs on their teenagers' movements.

Mobile phones are not only tracking devices, they are banking devices through which a parent can monitor pocket money, and other apps can report a young driver's speed, braking and distance. How long before they can give an anxious parent a running report on the driver's reactions to conditions, breath-alcohol level, numbers in the car? At home, many parents already take advantage of apps that let them monitor their child's internet use, sending alerts if anything in their online conversations or the sites they visit is undesirable.

What parent would not welcome the benefits these applications bring? At the same time many, like our feature writer Susan Edmunds, will worry that the apps enable them to watch children too closely and ask themselves, at what point does a young person's privacy become as important as their safety?

The age will vary for each child, obviously. The more sensible and careful their nature, the sooner their privacy can be respected. But those with more worrying inclinations will probably be quicker to demand their privacy. Parents probably have to accept it, since for every helpful app there is bound to be a disabling one available, if not now then soon.

Young people are usually ahead of their parents in these things. Parents who worry that technology is giving them too much of an advantage can remind themselves it will not last.

Experts would say the best we can probably do with personal technology, as with all things, is develop a relationship of total honesty and trust. Let growing children know what you are doing with GPS equipment and ensure they are completely at ease with it. If they are not, turn it off and trust them.

The same goes for nannies and childcare centres. If you want to monitor your child's movements in the care of others, it would seem wise to let them know and ensure they are comfortable with it.

We have been given wondrous new devices that can put parental minds at more ease. But the golden rule still applies. Users of the technology need to treat others as they would wish to be treated themselves. Otherwise it will turn back and bite you.