GPS Trackers For Kids: Everything You Need To Know
In this article, we’re going to discuss everything you need to know about GPS trackers for kids, what they are, and how you can use them to ensure your children remain safe.
The best kids GPS tracker app is Findmykids app from AppStore and Google Play. It provides amazing features like live location tracking and listening to surrounding noises and others. The best part is that you can use it for your toddlers and teenagers.
Contents
- What Are GPS Trackers?
- How Do They Work?
- Pros vs Cons Of GPS Trackers For Kids
- Examples Of Why They Work
- Tips On Using Them
- FAQs About GPS Trackers
- What’s the best GPS device for my child?
- What app do I use to connect my GPS device?
- Do I have to buy a SIM card?
- How expensive are GPS devices?
- How old does my child have to be to wear a GPS smartwatch?
- What’s the ideal battery life for a GPS device?
- Do I have to pay a monthly network fee to use a GPS tracking device?
- How accurate are GPS tracking devices?
- What is the standard warranty on the Findmykids GPS watch range?
Keeping your children safe undoubtedly comes at the top of the list of priorities when you become a parent.
Unfortunately, in this day and age, parents have a multitude of reasons to be concerned about their child’s safety and wellbeing when granting them the freedom to explore the world unsupervised. We can all agree on one thing – the thought of your child going missing is absolutely heart-stopping.
However, there are certain parameters you can put in place to ensure that you’re able to keep track of your child, including GPS tracking devices.
What Are GPS Trackers?
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GPS trackers are an awesome way to help you keep track of many things, including your phone, handbag, car, and as we’ll discuss in this article, you’ll also be able to use them to keep abreast of your child’s activity.
GPS trackers come in many different forms. They’re most commonly sold as small, palm-sized devices that can be easily worn or attached to a specific item of clothing or area of the body. Many tracking devices come with a secure locking attachment function, meaning they can be attached to a bag, t-shirt, or trousers, without the ability to be removed.
One of the most popular types of GPS tracking device comes in the form of a watch. These neat, stylish GPS smartwatches can be easily fitted to the wrist of your child and are to be used in conjunction with smartphone applications to easily locate your child’s whereabouts.
Check out our ultimate guide to GPS trackers for kids to discover all the different styles of tracking devices you use to ensure your child’s safety and security.
How Do They Work?
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GPS tracking devices can be used to pinpoint a person’s location from anywhere in the world. GPS stands for “Global Positioning System“, and refers to a collection of satellites orbiting the earth, all of which work together to provide the coordinates of any GPS-connected device.
Wearable GPS tracking devices work by being connected to corresponding online or smartphone applications that enable you to accurately locate the position of the tracker.
Many GPS devices, including GPS watches, have multiple functions that you can utilise to ensure your children’s safety. Some of the functions include:
- Safe Zones: Also known as Geofencing, safe zones enable you to set up specific locations that your child is allowed to travel in. If your child leaves a specific area into “unsafe” territory, then you’re smartphone application will instantly notify you.
- One-Way Calls: This means you’ll be able to instantly call your child without having to wait for them to pick up.
- Two-Way Calling & Messaging: Both you and your child can correspond with each other using the device and application.
- Camera & Sound Function: You’ll be able to see what’s happening around your child and as well as hearing what is going on in their surroundings.
- SOS Alert Button: Most devices come equipped with an SOS alert function that can be triggered by your child if they become distressed.
Using one is simple. Attach the device to your child’s clothing, wrist, or backpack, and connect to the related iOS or Android application that will show you their location and enable you to contact them.
Pros vs Cons Of GPS Trackers For Kids
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Pros: Ability To Contact, Track In Real-Time, SOS Alerts
There are a wide variety of pros when it comes to using GPS-tracking devices for kids.
One of the most obvious pros to using devices such as GPS smartwatches is that they provide you with peace of mind when you’re travelling with your children or letting them to roam free. The devices allow you to track and record your kid’s movements in real-time, ensuring they’re safe at all times.
You’ll also be able to receive instant alerts on your child’s whereabouts, call and message them at any time, get SOS alerts when your child is in distress, and utilise high-volume sound functionalities to locate your child if they’re lost in a crowd.
Other major pros to these devices include the ability to see and hear what is going on in your child’s immediate surroundings.
Cons: Some Have Short Battery Life, Potential Cybersecurity Issues
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There are also a few cons of using GPS tracking devices, which entirely depend on the device you choose. Some devices don’t come equipped with call and messaging functionalities, so the ability to communicate with your child can be limited.
Other GPS devices can also have a relatively short battery life, meaning you’ll have to constantly ensure the device is fully charged before use. With this in mind, you must check the battery life of any GPS tracking device before purchasing it.
In this modern-day and age, cybersecurity is becoming an evermore prominent topic. Although your GPS device may provide you with the knowledge that your child is safe and secure, this information could be easily targeted by cybercriminals who want to use it for illicit purposes. It’s important to note when purchasing a tracking device for kids the level of encryption that is carried by your chosen device.
This can be a shortfall of many GPS device manufacturers who don’t take into account the proper cybersecurity measures. Be sure to confirm with your supplier that all of the important information relayed from your chosen GPS tracking device will be kept secure at all times.
Examples Of Why They Work
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GPS tracking devices can be used in a wide variety of different scenarios to ensure that your child remains safe and secure.
Walking To School
‘One popular reason to use a GPS tracking device is when your child grows to a stage where they walk to and from there school themselves. Using the functionalities of the tracking device, you’ll be able to monitor where your child is currently on their journey to and from school.
You’ll also be able to receive customized alerts when your child eventually arrives at school as well as when they leave. If your child goes off route, you’ll also be notified, which will then enable you to contact your child discuss their journey.
Use When Travelling
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Another situation where GPS tracking devices work is when you’re visiting a popular tourist destination with your child. When travelling or when you’re on holiday, you’ll want to explore many different areas which can often attract large crowds.
It can be quite easy for a child to get lost in a crowd of people, even if you’re constantly ensuring that they’re by your side. If in the event of your child going missing in a crowd, you can utilise GPS tracking devices to relocate their whereabouts. In the case of your child going missing, you’ll be able to use the GPS device to do the following things:
- Use the corresponding iOS or Android application to find their location.
- Speak with them using the one-way call function.
- Trigger the high-volume sound alert so you can hear where they are.
- See and hear their surroundings using the camera and microphone functions.
There are many other scenarios where GPS tracking devices can be used, including school field trips, when your child wants to play outside with their friends, and even when you’re out shopping in public.
Tips On Using Them
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There are a few things that you may want to consider when using wearable GPS tracking devices for your kids.
Check Battery Life
Firstly, you must make sure that the device’s battery is always fully charged before using. As we’ve discussed previously in this article, the battery life of each device can vary depending on the type of battery and how often the device is used. To ensure your child’s device is always fully functioning be sure to charge it regularly.
Securely Attached
Next, you want to make sure the device is securely attached to your child at all times. GPS watches, for example, need to be securely fastened to your child’s wrist to ensure the device doesn’t fall off. If you’re using another form of GPS tracking device, then you want to make sure proper security attachments are included, allowing you to attach the device to your child’s clothing without it being able to fall off.
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Educate
When using devices such as GPS smartwatches, it’s important to educate your child on the importance of the device. Encourage them to learn all about how the device works, how they can use it to call or message you, and what to do in the event of an emergency. Make your child aware that they must keep the device attached to them at all times.
FAQs About GPS Trackers
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What’s the best GPS device for my child?
This depends on a variety of different factors. You need to first establish when and where you’ll be using the device. If you wish to contact your child, you’ll want to make sure the GPS tracking device comes equipped with messaging and call functionalities, which is the case for most GPS smartwatches.
If you just wish to keep track of your child’s whereabouts without the need to contact them, then a standard attachable device will be perfect.
What app do I use to connect my GPS device?
Most GPS devices will come with a corresponding application that you can use to connect the device to your smartphone. With the Findmykids watch range, we have a native application that will allow you to connect the device, track your child’s location, set up geofences, as well as the ability to call and message them.
The application isn’t just solely used for our range of smartwatches. The app can be downloaded onto your child’s smartphone so you can track their activity.
Do I have to buy a SIM card?
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This entirely depends on the manufacturer and the device. The majority of GPS tracking devices for kids come with in-built SIM cards, so you don’t need to worry about purchasing and installing one. However, you may want the freedom to choose your own SIM card, and many companies will offer devices allowing you to insert your own.
How expensive are GPS devices?
On average, a good quality GPS tracking device will set you back around $50-$100. Prices vary depending on the brand and the quality of the product. However, it’s needless to say that you cannot put a price on your child’s safety, so GPS devices are well worth the investment.
How old does my child have to be to wear a GPS smartwatch?
The majority of GPS smartwatches available on the market are suitable for people of all ages. Most manufacturers provide watches that fit toddlers as well as teenagers.
What’s the ideal battery life for a GPS device?
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When it comes to your devices battery life, it’s best to choose one that can last for at least 24 hours. This time frame ensures that your child will be able to enjoy a full day of using their watch without it running out.
Some devices can last up to 5 days without needing to recharge, however, it’s worth noting that these devices often don’t come with screens or call and messaging functionalities.
Do I have to pay a monthly network fee to use a GPS tracking device?
In some cases, you may be required to pay an additional monthly network fee to use your GPS tracker. As many GPS device manufacturers build their products with integrated SIM cards, you will have to pay a fee of around $10-$15 per month to use the device.
Alternatively, if your device doesn’t have an integrated SIM card, you can choose your plan from a third-party network provider.
How accurate are GPS tracking devices?
GPS tracking devices use a multitude of different satellites the accurately pinpoint any connect device with around 10-20 meters.
What is the standard warranty on the Findmykids GPS watch range?
Most GPS devices, including the Findmykids range, come with a minimum of 12 months’ warranty.
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