Since it is difficult to tell which sense most people have when searching for the term "gps for kids" in a search engine it seems like any webpage that is worth its salt is going to offer information on both of these topics. As such, we have divided our discussion into the following categories:
GPS Tracking for Kids
GPS tracking is a term that is used to describe both real time position tracking as well as data logging. When the term is used in relation to a child GPS device it is almost always used in the real time tracking sense. This is because the vast majority of child tracking devices are used to help ensure the safety of a child. In the case of an emergency you need to find out where your child is right now - not after you recover the GPS tracking device.
When it comes to these real time child GPS tracking devices there are three main categories that most of the devices you will come across will fall into. They are watches, locator devices, and cell phones. Each of these has its own positives and negatives associated with it. Here is a run down of each specific devices pros and cons:
1. GPS Watches for Kids - This is a type of GPS tracking device that fits on the wrist of your child. As you might have guessed, this is, theoretically, an ideal set up for both parents and kids. The child is less likely to loose a watch because it is attached to their wrist and this gives parents a lot of peace of mind. It also is quickly accessible in case of an emergency since all the child has to do is touch the button on their watch and you are notified that they are in an emergency.
But GPS tracking watches for kids have rarely risen to the high standard that most people hold them to. There is one major obstacle that manufacturers have yet to hurdle successfully - creating a small kids watch that has all the functionality parents want. They can create a small kids watch. They they can create a watch with all the functionality that parents want. But they just can't seem to create the combination of the two. This means that most kids GPS watches are going to be bulky or they are going to have less than desirable functionality. Neither of these are a good option when your child is being taken or is in some other type of emergency.
There are some promising products on the horizon that are billed to provide important features like voice communication, one button alarm modes, and laser like GPS tracking capabilities - but these products are still under development and will not be hitting the market for months.
2. GPS Locators For Kids - This is a standalone GPS device that is generally very small and can fit easily inside of a child's pocket, back pack, or book bag. Right now, if you have to get a device for your child, a child locator is probably going to make the best kid tracker for you and your family. There are several reasons for this superiority. The first is concealability. Most tracking devices can be extremely small and fit in exceedingly tight spaces. For example, the Amber Alert GPS 2G is 1.77" x 1.68" x .78"- now that is a one very compact tracking device. It can easily fit inside your child's pocket, back pack, or shoe! Concealabililty is important for those instances when your child falls victim to a predator out to do harm to your child. If they can't find the GPS tracking device then they are not going to be able to remove it when they take your child.
The second area that make locators the superior form of tracker is their tracking capability. In general, they offer superior results when compared to a tracking watch and are often on par with GPS tracking cell phones in terms of tracking capabilities. Once a GPS signal has been found, the device will quickly process the signal information and have a location for the device in almost no time at all. Since most modern trackers send out their position over cell phone networks, a child locator is going to be just as effective as a cell phone is in this category.
The third is ease of use. With this type of device all you need to do it turn it on and give it to your child. All the tracking is done automatically. Some models and services even have automated alerts that you can set up - such as geofences or speed alerts - to notify you be text message or email when your child goes outside a specific geographic boundary (geofence) or when they travel above a certain speed. These can be vital in alerting parents who are busy at work when something is going on with their child that is out of the ordinary.
It should be noted that GPS child locators are definitely not the perfect kid tracker. The most common and most blaring issue with these devices is a relatively short battery life. Tracking with GPS is a power hungry activity and small devices, like the Amber Alert GPS 2G, don't have very much room to spare for extra battery power. As a result, the most long lasting real time tracking devices for kids are only going to last you anywhere from a few hours (when in constant tracking mode, a mode where alerts are send to a cell phone or email address every few minutes) to several days (when the device is in stand-by mode, when no or very view location alerts are sent). This will mean frequent battery recharges and require extremely quick responses by the authorities once your child is taken. If either of these is neglected, the device could prove useless because it runs out of power just when you need it most.
A phone like this is going to come with its own service plan, maybe $20 a month depending on the service provider. At the time the Wherifone first hit the market it ran around $100, meaning that the first year of service plus the cost of phone was going to run you $340 - a lot of money for a phone for your child.
When it gets down to it, chances are you are better off getting your kid a cheap-o pay-as-you go cell phone, download some free GPS tracking software for the phone, and pay for the minutes and data as you use it - which shouldn't be that much as long as your kids are well behaved and listen to your instructions. You'll also have the peace of mind know that your child is going to be safe with their tracking phone.
GeoCaching GPS For Kids
The other kind of GPS that kids are likely to get involved in is geocaching. This is a very fun outdoor activity that is kind of a like a treasure hunt where your GPS is your treasure map and a small cache is your treasure. There is an online data base of caches that you can find in your area and all you need to do it find a cache near you and make your way to it using your GPS. This can be great way for kids to get outdoors and get some exercise, but it should definitely be done under adult supervision. Sometimes caches are located in hard to reach places or in places that take you far afield from your original location so having an adult with the child to help them make good decisions about which caches to pursue is a great idea.
One day we might be able to combine GPS tracking for kids and geocaching, but for now most geocaching devices are strictly data loggers and mapping devices.
I hope that was informative for any one looking for more information on GPS for kids. If you have any questions at all, please let me know in the comments section below.
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