Well, pardon if it’s already been said but, it doesn’t track where kids have been, it tracks where the phone it’s installed on has been; important difference.
More to the point, I really don’t care much for this. I’d rather see parents instilling self-perpetuating responsibility, trust, and respect than simply monitoring for effect which is not something I’m a fan of in general (though I wistfully admit its situational value as we stand today). However, as was said, if you’ve got a kid being brought home by the cops every other night (or similarly causing grief) I suppose it’s worth a try – though I’d wager a futile one implemented on its own – and perhaps it might help drive home the point when reminding a kid who’s demonstrated a lack of even mediocre judgement that such is unacceptable. I’ve heard arguments about protecting kids too and just wonder when are these kids supposed to learn how to make independent decisions, understand consequences, and develop a sense of judgement (basically protecting themselves) if they’re constantly being hand-held until they’re off to college or at least on their own? I don’t want people making the right choice because of the hope of a reward or fear of consequence. I want them making the right choice because it’s the right choice. I’m not seeing how this is going to get us there.
Every case is different, there is no “right” way, but this doesn’t strike me as being generally on point with raising better kids and people.
@SuperMouse You can say the same thing about anyone. Obeying boundaries when under authority is fundamentally different from learning how to manage freedom and independence. That isn’t to say the former can’t teach anything about the latter, but they aren’t the same, very different rules apply.