GuardianLion.com GPS Child Security Device

GuardianLion.com confirms that their GPS-enabled child panic button is now available to (increasingly) anxious US parents. Dubbed the Amber Alarm, the device features an emergency GPS locator with indoor tracking capability — an important distinction since conventional devices require a clear line of sight to orbiting satellites. It also provides a "geo-fencing" service which creates an invisible perimeter around parent-programmable safe zones such as schools or ice cream social parties. Removal (or wandering…) from these zones triggers an automatic silent alert to 911 services. The Amber Alarm goes for $350US plus a $39.99US monthly service charge. But don't fret, these costs will be offset by your personal savings in internet Xanax orders. Note: a length of chain and heavy rock will only set you back about $5US.

[Chink @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Hmmm now whats to stop the child giving the gps thing to someone else... or just sitting it somewhere while she/he goes into a restricted zone?

[Taylor Alexander @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Response: Good Parenting.
-Taylor

[Brian Ross @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

So $350 for the device... $40 a month for service... I wonder how much the fine will be for each FALSE ALARM...

While the idea is noble... put this device in the hands of kids... and they'll treat it like a toy.

[Rick Flashman @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

This has already been done: http://www.wherifywireless.com/prod_watches.htm

Except the Wherify device locks onto a child's wrist, sounds an alarm if cut off, and is cheaper ($99 according to Froogle).

Then there's the no-GPS locator version: http://www.ion-kids.com/

[Rick Flashman @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

This has already been done: http://www.wherifywireless.com/prod_watches.htm

Except the Wherify device locks onto a child's wrist, sounds an alarm if cut off, and is cheaper ($99 according to Froogle).

Then there's the no-GPS locator version: http://www.ion-kids.com/

[UHF @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Tip:

Save youself time, money and worry - don't have children. Works for me and I'm still a fun lovin' living it up 30-something guy!

[cwherry @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

So what's next, implants? Perhaps we should just all live in our homes for the rest of our lives, scared. Stress kills guys.

[Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

I understand the idea of a GPS "panic button" (nice piece of security when you actually are kidnapped, even though some cell phones accomplish the same thing) but geo-fencing thing got me. I can just see parents forgetting to turn the fencing off when their kid goes on a field trip, creating a regional emergency. Or a national emergency considering we just spent a weekend talking about a bride with cold feet. How about when the kid is at that ice-cream social and he or she decides to go down the street to meet a friend?

Then there was the mention of the "locking safety-belt" for those concerned that the kidnapper would just remove the device. I couldn't find any pics unfortunately but man, anything that "can not be removed over the child�s head or down over the pants" cannot be flattering...

[one.person @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

I must question the ability of this device to keep any sort of GPS signal indoors. Are they also tracking via cell towers?

Having used some high-end very expensive and accurate GPS devices from Trimble, I know how difficult it can be to keep a reliable signal even outdoors.

[yuppicide @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

So $350 for a device your child is going to lose?! Children are always losing things.

I think this might be a good service if you can slim down the size of the unit, make it waterproof and durable, sell the patent to Levi's who can then mass produce it into a pair of jeans for a mere $10 or $15 increase in price. Only then would I like this.

[ban @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

THis reminds me of Running man.Next time when the kid goes out of bound he / she will be electrocuted to remind her.And we thought that our freedom is being violated before you know for these kids when they become adults contant monitoring will not be an issue.

[Lionell @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

The Wherify watch deal was a ghost product and once they starting testing they retreated because of technical problems. They no longer promote that device. Also another company Digital Angel said they had a device some time ago. They also withdrew. GuardianLion is the only one out.

Research it.

[Winterfresh @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Lionell, that's incorrect. Wherify's watch was a real, actual product (granted they didn't sell a bunch). So is their new 'Wherifone'. This product even has a similar form-factor to what Wheify is now promoting. In addition, you are going to see a whole slew of personal (not just kids) tracking devices coming to market in the next year.

[Tina @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

This type of device is extremely important for families with an autistic child who is considered a "runner". Please don't knock it without realizing that it can be used for special needs people and the elderly. I hope we have more GPS and ION style options to choose from soon.

[marcel @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Are there GPS-like devices for tracking the wandering elderly? It seems that a chip or transmitter in a shoe, purse, or wallett would be a helpful idea.

[Michael Adams @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Sunto made an excellent GPS wrist watch which is still a little bulky. However as technology gets better, incorporating the GuardianLion into a fasionable design similar to the Sunto, that could not be tampered with seems like the direction this product should go if they ever want to sell them in large quantities

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

If you want to find some more information about the child safety devices that are availible right now, go to http://www.childsafetytech.com. They have a pretty good selection of devices parents can choose from.

[angels kids @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

for those who do not have children you couldn't possibly understand the worries and stresses that go along with having children let alone with the crap that has happened in the last 10 years alone with public interest peices on kidnappings, shootings, rapings, and killings of todays children... jesus!!! they aren't even safe in the hands of home day cares unless you really know the person... look i am leary of the fact that well, big brother watching me and my kids(4 of them by the way), but then the whole wish i could keep track when they aren't with me kicks in... being a mother of a teenager, and younger the dangers are endless. if college kids can get kidnapped on spring break with friends and police around well how the heck are us "paranoid" parents with younger kids suppose to feel? listen i'll give you an example that some parents out there can relate to and for those non-parents out there i'm sure this is understandable even for you... my children one teen and one elementary, then two non school age okay... i take my younger ones to a doctor appointment, they always seem to take longer when you have to be somewhere at a certain time... HMO... anyway so i am 35 minutes late being home for when the kids get off the bus but not a big deal because they can let themselves in and the teenager is perfectly capable of watching the younger one... well you tell me, when the bus driver comes back, demands my kids get on the bus because shes taking them back to school, when all they were doing were playing basketball and she assumed that they were locked out even after they told her they could get in the house but that i wasn't home because i had to go to the doctors... she never bothered to call, she didn't allow them to call me... so i was going out of my mind when i tried to call the 15th time to find out why my kids aren't answering the phone, then as i am dialing for the 16th time i get the call waiting beep from the school stating the bus driver dropped them back there... confuse i asked why shedidn't let them off the bus to begin with... "oh no, she did" i hear, "but she thought they couldn't get in the house so she turned around after her route and picked them up" on one hand i should thank her, and get upset with the kids for not staying in the house, but then again... who the hell goes and takes your kids without telling you, or even checking with dispatch or with school itself before they make a judgement like that... if i had a kid security system i would'veknow right away that my kids were being taken from my yard, and could've found out what was going on more quickly. i don't know, its a true story just happened a week ago, but just an FYI it's not policy for them to go back and pick up kids however can choose not to let them off the bus if they feel it is unsafe in any way for the child/children... moral is, she could've been anybody...two kids just playing basket ball. i used to walk to school everyday in the city which at the time that city was dubbed number 1 murder capitol in the world... i am sure that things i know now, would've saved me from alot of therapy if my mother was able to keep track of me... latchkey kids are still here, not everyone can afford day care, and sorry but 13-17 years old, still vulnerable to crimes against children... and realistically there is no afterschool program for those kids.
i know; imyself am a survivor of rape and i was a child 14 years old, in a school zone, so don't tell me this is a scam... or something that should be laughed at... or not taken with some thought that it might actually be a good idea. i think the concept needs work, but you can't improve what you don't test... and yeah maybe we will tag our children the way we tag our pets only a little more advanced... with the broken homes, single parents, latchkey kids growing in numbers and childcare prices going through the roof and you have to work to pay the bills, and can't leave your kids unattended because the state will take them... hmmmm, oh yeah and with all the funding for educational programs being cut in the name of terrorism and the american way,you would think people would be a little more understanding of the parental paranoia of the safety and well being issues, but what the hell, what would i know about it?

[Kevin @ Dec 28th 2005 3:06AM]

Has anyone seen a low price solution for personal items such has bikes. I had just gotten my Son a very nice bike for his B-day and 1 month later it was stolen from school.. Yes it was locked up!!. still cant figure that out. The IONKIDS device could work but the range would be to short and it mentioned that it has a sensors that detects the presence of the child's skin. i just wanted to hide it under the seat. any thought , ideas.. this is the second bike stolen in one year..i dont wany my children to not have nice things because of the fear of it being stolen. thanks