What Price for Privacy?

As an advocate of teen driving safety I rejoiced when GPS devices became available to help parents track their teen drivers’ driving habits. What could be better than to know when your child is driving too fast, or driving after curfew. We know that these behaviors put teen drivers at greater risk so why wouldn’t parents want to know? And if the device reduced their insurance rates so that it was less expensive to have it than not, wouldn’t every parent want this?

After talking to many parents about this issue it seems that there are several reasons that they don’t pursue a GPS tracking device for their child’s car. The most prevalent is that they don’t want to intrude on their child’s privacy. They don’t want to appear not to trust their child and of course they don’t like the whole “big brother” aspect of this technology.

First of all, let me put to rest the “big brother” questions. When you install one of these devices in your child’s car, you are the only one who can view the information generated by the device. It is not a device that lets the insurance companies “spy” on your child. You control all the access to this information.

Now let’s get to the real heart of the matter. You don’t want your child to think you don’t trust them to drive safely. This is your child. She has always been a great kid. He has never given you trouble. I know. I have 3 teenagers. But the truth is that all teen drivers are at risk. The risk is certainly magnified by their inexperience. But they are all at risk as young drivers. If you do trust them completely then I believe you are simply avoiding reality. This may be a bitter pill to swallow so let me give you a similar example.

Let’s say your child is the model student. He studies hard and brings home good grades on tests and homework. Would you then not look at his report card? Would that be telling him you don’t trust him? The only difference here is that we are talking about your child’s very life and safety, not his or her grades. And if your child does screw up and kill or injure herself or someone else, there are no make up exams.

The last point I want to make about the GPS devices is that like report cards, they give your child the chance to show that she is driving safely. And when you see that, you can reward him or her with more freedom and more responsibility.

A GPS tracking device can be misused by a nosey parent or an over controlling one. But used properly, this piece of technology can save lives. If you have considered one in the past, I urge you to reconsider. It might save your child’s life.