If a Young Cbild Wanders, Tecbnology Can

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devices @ eliminating ([ keeping track Q
separated ; increases M) psychology ($
parenting T struggling [ reduce );

Most parents have experienced that feeling of fear when a young child disappears at the
playground or during a trip to the supermarket. New technology, in the form of voice watches and
mini devices, is aimed at eIiminating such stress by keeping track of children who
are too young to have a smartphone.
The new devices use GPS, Wi-Fi and other location-tracking technology and can be linked to
apps on a parent's phone. One device, a watch coming from Filip Technologies later this year,
tracks a child's location and lets him or her get phone calls from up to five people chosen by their
parents. The watch also has a red panic button that children can push if, for example, they
suddenly become separated from their parents in a crowd.
Sandra L. Calvert, a professor of psychoIogy says "These devices allow the child to move
farther and farther away, yet the parent knows where the child is. "f a child gets lost in a store
and can push a little button, their parents can find them, she said. "t helps them to know they
are in a space that seems to be safe.
But another psychologist who focuses on parenting said " can understand how a parent might
want to know if their child is having a problem, but don't think it's always helpful for children to
be able to contact their parents when they are struggIing, she said. "We want children to
develop problem-solving skills and manage stress. She also added that the panic button "may
reduce the parents' anxiety to give their child a panic button, but can imagine that it increases
the child's anxiety, because it sends a strong message that the child is at a risk of danger.
Comprebension Questions
1. What is the main function use of the mini sensing uevice.
2. What technology uo the new uevices use.
S. Besciibe an impoitant ability of the new uevice.
4. Who thinks the uevice is a goou iuea anu why.
S. Think of some pioblems about using this kinu of uevice.