BAKERSFIELD, CA- Is it spying or monitoring? Most kids would say tracking devices invade their privacy. However, parents say that's not the case, and it's a matter of safety.
Part one of a special report by 17's Aric Richards profiles one tracking device and the controversy surrounding it.
The device is called the Amber Alert GPS and it fits in the palm of your hand. It's designed to track your child's every move by sending alerts straight to your phone.
Studies show 93% of teens go online, 75% of teens have cell phones, and 15% say they've received sexually suggestive photos of someone they know via text.
These are all reasons many parents feel the need to keep a closer eye on their kids and, with one of the tracking devices available these days, you can.
"The green map marker is .00, where they're at right now, so you can click on that map marker and a location will pop up and a location will pop up and tell you exactly where your child's at," said Julia Howard the Vice President of Amber Alert GPS.
An internet search will lead you to dozens of high-tech tracking instruments, with a variety of features and costs.
We were able to borrow the Amber Alert GPS, a $215 monthly tracker with all the bells and whistles.
The tracker gives the parent an updated location every five minutes, and can even tell you how fast a vehicle is going.
Parents can also set boundaries, such as if your child goes off his or her authorized route, a text alert is sent to them.
But for some teens in the hot seat, the idea of a tracking device doesn't sit well. So how far is too far and does this invade their privacy?
"When it comes to the safety of my child, I don't care, there's no invasion of privacy in my book," said Laura Juarez.
Laura Juarez used the device for a couple of days, tracking her 16-year-old daughter Sheyanne.
"I was able to go on to the app and just locate the whereabouts of my daughter whether she be at school, at home, or a park or a friends house," said Juarez.
"I did feel like it was kind of creepy, but if it's safe, then why not encourage it," said Sheyanne Juarez.
Juarez was also able to use a feature called Predator Alert. If her daughter came within 500 feet of the home of a registered sex offender, Laura was sent a message.
"It was very startling. There's so many and just various locations throughout Bakersfield. There's one in almost every neighborhood at least," said Juarez.
Sheyanne said even though the device tracked her every move, it made her feel safe. "It could save a life."
Monday on 17 News at Five, we will introduce you to another family who used the device for nearly a week.
Part one of a special report by 17's Aric Richards profiles one tracking device and the controversy surrounding it.
The device is called the Amber Alert GPS and it fits in the palm of your hand. It's designed to track your child's every move by sending alerts straight to your phone.
Studies show 93% of teens go online, 75% of teens have cell phones, and 15% say they've received sexually suggestive photos of someone they know via text.
These are all reasons many parents feel the need to keep a closer eye on their kids and, with one of the tracking devices available these days, you can.
"The green map marker is .00, where they're at right now, so you can click on that map marker and a location will pop up and a location will pop up and tell you exactly where your child's at," said Julia Howard the Vice President of Amber Alert GPS.
An internet search will lead you to dozens of high-tech tracking instruments, with a variety of features and costs.
We were able to borrow the Amber Alert GPS, a $215 monthly tracker with all the bells and whistles.
The tracker gives the parent an updated location every five minutes, and can even tell you how fast a vehicle is going.
Parents can also set boundaries, such as if your child goes off his or her authorized route, a text alert is sent to them.
But for some teens in the hot seat, the idea of a tracking device doesn't sit well. So how far is too far and does this invade their privacy?
"When it comes to the safety of my child, I don't care, there's no invasion of privacy in my book," said Laura Juarez.
Laura Juarez used the device for a couple of days, tracking her 16-year-old daughter Sheyanne.
"I was able to go on to the app and just locate the whereabouts of my daughter whether she be at school, at home, or a park or a friends house," said Juarez.
"I did feel like it was kind of creepy, but if it's safe, then why not encourage it," said Sheyanne Juarez.
Juarez was also able to use a feature called Predator Alert. If her daughter came within 500 feet of the home of a registered sex offender, Laura was sent a message.
"It was very startling. There's so many and just various locations throughout Bakersfield. There's one in almost every neighborhood at least," said Juarez.
Sheyanne said even though the device tracked her every move, it made her feel safe. "It could save a life."
Monday on 17 News at Five, we will introduce you to another family who used the device for nearly a week.