Parents 'would use trackers to spy on their children'

A majority of parents would hide GPS tracking technology or CCTV cameras on their children to keep an eye on their whereabouts or spy on their activities, it's emerged.

Figures obtained on behalf of a major UK-based CCTV installation and servicing company finds that so-called "helicopter parents" – adults who are concerned about their child's every move – think that modern technology is an option when it comes to parenting.

While it would be possible to follow somebody's movements using currently available apps and electronic systems, the CCTV.co.uk company asks if it's entirely ethical and a symptom of society's fear of crime.

"Some parents worry incessantly about what their school-age children are doing when they're out of the house," says CCTV.co.uk's Jonathan Ratcliffe, "and they see modern technology as the answer to their fears. But is it?"

CCTV.co.uk asked over 400 parents of children aged between 5-18 what lengths they would be prepared to go to in order to track their movements.

• 70% said they would hide a GPS tracking device on their person
• 67% said they'd use a phone tracking app to keep tabs on their child's movement
• 44% said they'd hide a small camera on their child's clothing to see who they were mixing with, if such technology were available
• 30% said they'd do nothing at all

The figures show the growing number of parents who would turn to electronic devices to keep tabs on their children, says CCTV.co.uk.

"The surprising thing is that the numbers stayed consistent whatever the age of the children," Ratcliffe says. "Whether they're primary school kids out playing at the park with friends, or teenagers doing whatever it is teenagers do for kicks these days, parental worry remains the same."

With personal GPS tracking devices now available in electronics shops for less than £50, they've become an option for people who want to keep a track on loved ones, be they children or the elderly. However, CCTV.co.uk says there's still ethical questions over whether it's right to hide one on a person without their knowledge.

"It is a grey area, especially when it comes to older teens," says Ratcliffe, "At what point do you cross that bridge and admit to yourself that you no longer trust your children when they're out of your sight?

"Safety is one thing, actively spying is quite another."

While body-worn CCTV cameras aren't quite at the stage where they'd be affordable to concerned parents, there was still a sizeable number who said they'd use them if they were commercially available and small enough to conceal in clothing or a school bag.

"CCTV body cameras are already being used by police and emergency workers," says Ratcliffe, "It's only a matter of time before people are filming their every waking movement.

"While this might keep the producers of You've Been Framed happy, where does it leave people's privacy – both for those being filmed and unwitting kids doing the filming?"

CCTV.co.uk notes that many parents (30%) opted to do nothing at all, even if the technology were easily available and affordable.

"Perhaps that's a lesson for all of us," said the company's Jonathan Ratcliffe. "Better parenting and trust could still be the way ahead."