Veterinarians implant trackable computer chips into animals in order to trace them when they get lost. Some people believe we should do the same for children. I have mixed feelings about this issue. Yes, implanting computer chips would be beneficial in tracking both young children and the elderly, but it seems like this is too much. GPS shoes, or even a trackable bracelet would not seem as weird to me. Implanting a computer chip is too extreme. I do not think it is necessary to track your children at all hours of the day. However, in busy atmospheres, such as cities or amusement parks, I understand that having a tracking system would make a parent, primarily those with young children, feel more comfortable. A computer chip in sick senior citizens makes the most sense to me, especially if an old man or woman with alzheimer’s or any other illness lives on their own.
In no case do I believe a chip is necessary for teenagers. At this age it is completely normal for teenagers to spread their wings, and start becoming more independent. Yes, there will be many times that teenagers make questionable decisions, but parents need to let them be, and try their best to trust their son or daughter. Children under the age of five and sick elderly people clearly are not functioning as well as a healthy teenager, so I see no reason teenagers would need it.
I definitely do not think there should be a bill in Congress to require ID chips in children under the age of five. Yes there have been several unfortunate situations of missing children, but for the most part people have been getting along fine without tracking systems.
I completely agree that chips are not necessary in teenagers. I think it completely takes away their right to privacy especially at an age where they are supposed to be starting to go out on their own and experience the world. Parents need to trust their children, by inserting a chip it would most likely make them feel like they couldn't be trusted and no one wants to feel like their parents don't trust them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that GPS would be helpful in some situations and unnecessary in others. Yes, if a child was lost, it would be really easy to find them if they could be tracked with GPS, and in that case the technology is beneficial. But at the same time, this technology can easily be abused and be used to take away the freedom of your children, especially teenagers. A teenager needs to have some freedom to make there own mistakes and learn from them, but if they are under constant surveillance from their parents, it would be difficult for them to do this. I definitely agree that computer chips is a bit extreme, but a GPS tracking bracelet or shoes might be beneficial in some cases.
ReplyDeleteI also agree chips are not necessary. Not only does it take away from one's privacy rights but it also just creates more ways predators and kidnappers can harm children and even teenagers. If a parent feels they truly need to track their children at all hours, they can discuss that with their child. I do not think the government has any right to get involved with parents and their childrens relationships.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa, I agree with your opinion that chips aren't necessary in teenagers. I touched upon the idea of teenagers growing up and needing to become more independent in my own blog. I also believe that regardless of how confident a tracking chip would make a parent in the safety of their children, it is too much. I also talked about the idea of GPS shoes being a lot easier to accept because it is optional and not as intense as a chip implanted in your body.
ReplyDeleteI agree to a point. I think that in our current living situations, chips are a bit extreme, but I do feel we are moving in that direction. The problem with removable devices is that they can be removed. As good as the idea of a bracelet, necklace or shoes is; kids tend to lose stuff all the time and someone with dementia might not remember to put it on or get confused and take it off. In my opinion these devices are beneficial as long as the information that is being transmitted by them is not available to the public and for use in emergency situations or extremes only.
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