Fitness trackers are becoming all the rage, mostly for adults. Now, kids as young as four can get in on the latest technological craze.
Leap Frog, a leader in child education technology, is releasing Leap Band in August 2014, and is the first Kid Fitness Tracker. This wristband will run you $40, and this health tracker is for children ages 4 to 7. It gives children exercise and dance commands, and rewards their totaled physical activity by giving them virtual pets. Parents can monitor their kid’s activity through an app or website. This comes at a time when wearable technology may or may not be the next big thing.
The word ‘tracking’ is the concerning word for me, especially when it comes to children this age. They should not be subjected to having their private info handed over to advertisers, corporations, government agencies or anybody else. Thankfully, there are laws virtually forbidding data collection for anyone under 13. So the only ones doing the tracking will be the parent/guardian. But Leap Frog isn’t the only tracking device for kids. Flip is a device where parents can track their kids every move. I have mixed feelings about Flip. I understand why this would be appealing to parents. But to put tracking devices on kids just to see where they are is just creepy to me and borderline infringes on right to privacy. At least Leap Band encourages physical activity and tracking is very limited. Do you think kid tracking devices will be of help or of hindrance?