Should Your Parents Track You?

1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with this essential question: Why would parents or caregivers want to track the location of their children?

2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:

• What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether parents should use GPS to track the location of their children. The issue is timely because parents are increasingly using apps like Life360 to monitor their children’s movements.)

• Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (Genevieve Rivera is the head of an organization that focuses on the well-being of children. Lorrie Faith Cranor directs an organization that focuses on digital privacy.)

• Analyze Rivera’s view. (Rivera argues in favor of tracking. She explains that tracking is about safety, not mistrust. She says tracking allows parents to be there if needed in case of emergency, and that tracking gives teens and parents peace of mind. She also points out that the terms of when parents track can be renegotiated as children get older.)

• Analyze Cranor’s view. (Cranor argues against tracking teens. She says that teens want privacy and that tracking hinders their ability to make independent choices and learn from their mistakes. She also points out that tracking might compel teens to start doing things to avoid surveillance.) 

4. Writing Prompt
In an essay, evaluate one of the debaters’ arguments. Assess whether the reasoning is valid and whether it’s supported with evidence. Point out biases or missing information.

5. Classroom Debate
Should your parents track your location? Have students use the authors’ ideas, as well as their own, in a debate. 

6. Vote
Go online to vote in Upfront’s poll—and see how students across the country voted.