GPS tracker for children

[MadDogMama]

Posted here for traffic.

I'm taking my 8yo DD to London at the weekend, and I want to purchase a GPS tracker as I am paranoid about losing her.

I have an android phone, and I have been looking at the Samsung smart tag 2 but notice that it has a range of only 120 metres. It isn't a GPS tracker.

Could any of you lovely people recommend any devices that you've tried and tested, please? Or should I stick with the idea of the smart tag?

Many thanks for any responses.

That's an option, thank you.

Why do you think it would help?

Why not buy a cheap phone so you can call each other.

I thought that would be obvious tbh, so that if we lost contact, I could easily track her.

I don't want her to have a phone yet. IMO she's too young, if I give her a phone for tracking purposes, she's going to think she has a phone like her older cousins. Not ready for that.

We got a children's gps watch for dc with a SIM card. Not in the UK so can't help with a recommendation as the brand is specific to our region but we find it very handy for giving them a bit of independence. Our numbers are on it so they can call or message us but they do know our phone numbers too. Good tip about asking a transport worker for help, hadn't heard that before!

I don't think it's necessary to take a tracker to London with you. She's unlikely to leave your sight and I'm not sure how you think she's any more likely to get separated from you there, especially considering how much extra attention she will be getting from you because of how anxious you sound. You sound incredibly anxious and you also risk passing that anxiety onto her.

If she knows your number, knows basic stranger danger protocol then that's plenty. You honestly don't need to track somebody that isn't going to leave your side.

I agree 100%, but I think we are in the minority.

I think people have views of pulsating hordes at every tube station entrance, museum, street etc and it really isn't like that at all. You're not going to lose your eight year old.

If she doesn't have some SN that you haven't disclosed I would focus on your anxiety first.

You could use a tile on her bag or clothing but I don't think she is at the level of risk that requires writing on skin.

Tile Pro apparently goes up to 400m. I'm bought one last week and I'm sure that's correct and I've not dreamt it!

Ffs, I'm not mega anxious, I'm just trying to take extra measures to ensure my DD is kept safe. There's no need to make me out to be some over anxious parent when I'm just trying to be sure I could find the most precious being to me should she happen to leave my side.
Some people playing this down and making me out to be 'over anxious', I hope you never need the use of a tracker. I'm just trying to protect my child like any good mother would.
Yes, my child has SEN but they don't impact her day to day and it doesn't impact on her abilities.
Maybe I just care too much about my DD, I would prefer that than the opposite.
I didn't come here looking for trolls, so appreciate the constructive feedback, and two fingers up at those who think I'm 'over anxious' 😬

It’s not trolling to offer an alternative opinion on a forum named AIBU!

Your inplication that those who don't see the need to track a child in London are hot good mothers is plain daft.

The likelihood of this happening is tiny, how would it happen,? You keep your eye on her and if for some reason you get stuck in a melee hold hands

I’m sure she’ll do both. And in those circumstances a gps tracker would be more reliable

Except that everything in this reply screams that you are, indeed, over anxious. You seem to have a very inflated view of how dangerous London is. You want a GPS tracker in case your child leaves your side. That in itself is the behaviour of an anxious person. A person with their anxiety in proportion would not stick an air tag or whatever tracker on a child that's going to be with them all day.

This will sound odd but get a pet tracker the one we use for our cats is great and we can see the cats for miles when they’re not home. Either that or get an iPhone to put in her bag if you can.

Life360 app

I don't think YABU at all wanting a bit of extra peace of mind to enjoy your trip. Of course you can do all of the other preparation stuff with your DC but having a tracker as backup won't hurt.

I totally understand you not wanting to give your child their own phone at 8 but in your shoes if I had an old spare one I'd probably stick a PAYG SIM in it and install life360. I'd make it clear it was a special loan phone just for the one trip and not put any other apps on but would have my phone number saved on it too.

I lost my friend's 4-y-o at a festival once. I was frantic, but within five minutes her dad had a call on his mobile from a police officer she'd contacted to say she was lost. She had shown him a card she had in her pocket with her parents' details on. I was very impressed indeed!

I have an 8yo and live in London. Why on earth can't an 8yo not stay in your site and not run off? I have heard good things about life 360 but I really think you are being a bit too much here.

*sight