"See what your teens are really doing!" an advertisement online beckons. This catch-phrase for a teen tracking device tells parents that they can secretly keep tabs on their children by installing beaconing devices in their cars. Now, they have instant access to their teens whereabouts at all times. While many parents mean well, these devices can be threatening to children, and cause them to resent their authority. Still, some parents are heavily concerned with their teen's rebellious or reckless nature, and have a hard time allowing them full freedom. Whether it is the city crime-rate or peer pressure, parents fear for their children, and do not want them to fall into danger or partake in illegal activities.

According to a recent study by a GPS tracking company, most parents would argue that protecting their teens is more important than allowing them the freedom that they would prefer. If it takes a GPS tracking system to make sure that the child is safe, then parents are willing to oblige. Parents believe that they have a right to know what their child is doing. Not surprisingly, most teens disagree with these beliefs. They feel that they deserve independence as they grow up and begin to drive.

With advanced technology, there are now endless ways to track your children. GPS devices are only a few inches wide, and are undetectable if hidden under the seat, or in the trunk of a child's car. Many cell phones can be programmed to function as GPS devices, using a tracking technology which is accessible on the web. Teen Tracking GPS systems are sold online and are engineered to notify parents when their offspring are in a dangerous situation. If child is speeding, some devices will send the parent an alert or a text message to let them know. Also, some GPS's can be programmed with boundaries, so that if a child crosses the boundary line, or enters a dangerous part of town, it will alert parents. When a teen is our past curfew some GPS's will sound off an alarm to let the child know he or she needs to get back, and inform the parents. Some adults believe that the systems are a great solution for micro-managed parenting, allowing the teen to drive around without constant phone calls or text messages from a worried mom or dad.

Still, these GPS systems come with one major question. Is it legal to track your children with a GPS system, or is this infringing on privacy rights? According to federal law, children do not have the same privacy rights as adults until they turn 18. Since Teen GPS tracking systems are a recent invention, there is little legislation regarding them at present. Currently most child privacy focuses on web site operators and deals with accessing a child's information online. The Child Privacy Protection Act of 1998 zoned in on this issue and has continued to regulate children and their dealings with the internet.

Because there are no specific laws regarding teen GPS trackers, these devices are deemed legal. Until your child has reached the state-appointed age of an "adult," he or she could not legally raise an issue about the GPS tracker. There are many laws protecting parent's rights over their children, and not many protecting children from the supervision of their parents. Parents possess certain privileges to monitor and watch over their children which are only revoked in criminal, neglect, or abuse cases. Therefore, if your teen is resisting the idea of a GPS tracker, it is advisable that you discuss the situation with him or her. This isn't a case that can be brought to court, but you should be sure to talk through things with your child in order to maintain a peaceful relationship.