Tracking devices for children

Microchip implants are being used to monitor children, convicts, pets, Alzheimer’s patients, and others. Back in 2002 several volunteers had a radio frequency identification (RFID) “VeriChips” inserted under the skin of their arms.

American companies are reportedly working on developing a GPS-enabled chip to track individuals, which could potentially locate a person's position, speed and direction.

A 37-year-old mother said a "human chip'' is the only answer to keep track of her 15-year-old daughter, who has often skipped school without her school noticing. Her daughter and three friends were left dangling in mid-air in after one of them drove a friends car up a stay wire of an electricity pole. They had to climb out of the car while it balanced on the wire.

"The school principal rang me about 11am to say she had been in a car accident and she was OK," she said. "I'm all for my daughter having a tracking device implanted otherwise I'm helpless.''

"You would never get a child to wear such a thing, so it would have to be implanted.''

She said she does not want to encroach on her daughter's civil liberty, she just wants to keep her safe: "I think other parents would definitely support it... I don't know if it's possible but I think it's a good idea just so I know she's at school.''

I remember reading the article by Dan Gilmor back in 2000. He mentioned his friend who said he would gladly put an implant in his newborn daughter to protect her from kidnapping and other threats.

The last passage will stay in my memory for the rest of my life: "I admire my colleague's devotion to his daughter's well-being. I fear for her future, for the world she'll live in, if he gets his wish."

Is this what we've come to? Turning our children into pets on electronic leash? I agree it could be helpful in a case of kidnapping, but don't you think a kidnaper would remember to "remove" the chip from your child?

As much as I'm obsessed with technology and improvement this is a little bit to much.