@JustLyra
The “keeps them safe” thing is completely wrong and gives a false sense of security.
When my DD has someone track her we all knock and acknowledge that it’s something that helps after something has gone wrong with her narcolepsy.
It absolutely does not keep her safe, it just helps track her down afterward. Those are not the same things and pretending that it keeps someone safe doesn’t do anyone any favours.
This.
If people want to use these things then each to their own. To a point.
However we really should be 'more transparent' and 'honest with each other' about where their use is healthy, what it actually can and cant achieve and where it may leave you vulnerable and open to abuse.
And thst includes conversations about whether your children are genuinely in a situation where they can freely consent or whether due so out of a sense of obligation or misunderstanding about the 'safety' the app can really offer. I wonder if asked by a neutral third party whether you would get such positive responses from children as the parents seem to suggest. (I'd love this to be properly studied)
This is where i have more of an issue. Its the dismissal and hand waving about the legitimacy of the need for this conversation.
It is about the lack of conversation about why normalisation might put you at risk and why you maybe should not be using them in a relationship thats really concerning. The denial about it being used for control is worrying.
If you admit its helping manage anxiety rather than keeping anyone safe, i take slightly less issue with it but still challenge how else you are taking steps to address that other than with a phone. What happens if you lose phone or something strange happens? You need to think that aspect through and im not convinced many are doing that. Its the reliance on the app alone thats troubling.
It certainly isn't about me 'not getting it'. I get it. I get the attraction. I just think the negatives out weigh the benefits and don't think the negatives are properly being considered by huge numbers of people because its easier to ignore this side issues.
Its about statements about 'keeping safe' being trotted out thoughtlessly, time and time again and the lack of consideration about how it might not be all you think it to be and may cause unintended harms.
I am always dubious of the 'but i have nothing to hide' phrase too, because of where that statement has a habit of ending up if things do go bad. You don't have any thing to hide until you need to or until there is an error that you can't them explain. 'The technology doesn't lie' you see, except when theres a banking error for example. Or if you need to do something to protect yourself or others without it being picked up (eg you are in an abusive relationship). Its naively and willingful innocent as a thought process - which if you are saying to children is potentially putting them at risk.
I think there is massive deliberate and willful ignorance going on, which should be highlighted and spoken about a lot more.
I would love some journalist to properly investigate the whole subject tbh.