Child Location Tracking in the US and the UK: Same Technology, Different Social Implications

Surveillance and Society, Vol 12, No 4 (2014)

13 Pages Posted: 30 Nov 2014

See all articles by Anne-Marie Oostveen

Anne-Marie Oostveen

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute

Asimina Vasalou

University of Birmingham

Peter van den Besselaar

Rathenau Institute - Science System Assessment Department; VU University Amsterdam - Faculty of Social Sciences

Ian Brown

Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) - Fundação Getulio Vargas Law School at São Paulo

Date Written: November 28, 2014

Abstract

Real-time location tracking of individuals has become relatively easy with the widespread availability of commercial wearable devices that use geographical positioning information to provide location-based services. One application of this technology is to allow parents to monitor the location of their children. This paper investigates child location tracking technology in the US and the UK and compares its privacy implications. Although overall the price levels and the technical capabilities are the same, we find that the features of the technology are different depending on the social context. This can be attributed to national regulations and law that shape how a technology can be used. These laws and regulations, influenced by cultural frameworks, values, and morality, differ considerably between the countries. Clarifying the expected impacts of technology on the lives of users and other stakeholders in terms of these contextual factors will help to inform public debate about technical possibilities and societal needs.

Keywords: privacy, surveillance, location, child protection

JEL Classification: K32, O33

Suggested Citation

Oostveen, Anne-Marie and Vasalou, Asimina and van den Besselaar, Peter and Brown, Ian, Child Location Tracking in the US and the UK: Same Technology, Different Social Implications (November 28, 2014). Surveillance and Society, Vol 12, No 4 (2014), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2531877

Anne-Marie Oostveen (Contact Author)

University of Oxford - Oxford Internet Institute ( email )

1 St. Giles
University of Oxford
Oxford OX1 3PG Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire OX1 3JS
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://www.social-informatics.net

Asimina Vasalou

University of Birmingham ( email )

Birmingham, B15 2TT
United Kingdom

Peter Van den Besselaar

Rathenau Institute - Science System Assessment Department ( email )

Anna van Saxenlaan
Den Haag
Netherlands

VU University Amsterdam - Faculty of Social Sciences ( email )

De Boelelaan 1081
Amsterdam, 1081 HV
Netherlands

Ian Brown

Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) - Fundação Getulio Vargas Law School at São Paulo ( email )

São Paulo
Brazil

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