Apple Says AirTags Should Never Be Used to Track Pets or Kids; Parents and Pet Owners Doing it Anyway (and Exposing Them to Harmful Radiation)

By B.N. Frank

Apple AirTags are not the only remote tracking devices available for purchase, though they seem to be the most controversial (see 1, 2, 3), leading to a class action lawsuit as well as state legislation. A less-discussed issue associated with AirTags – they emit high levels biologically harmful Electromagnetic Fields (EMF), including Bluetooth and/or other sources of wireless “Wi-Fi” radiation which can cause symptoms and illnesses in animals as well as people with children being especially vulnerable to exposure. In fact, manufacturers of wireless emitting devices are required to include warnings about exposure with their products. Additionally in 2021, a federal court ruling in favor of petitioners who sued the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for NOT updating wireless radiation guidelines (including 5G) since 1996; however, the agency has still not addressed this. Of course, that’s not why Apple recently issued more warnings about its AirTags.

From Digital Information World:

Apple Says AirTags Aren’t for Tracking Kids, But Parents Are Using Them Anyway

The AirTag is one of the newer products released by Apple, coming out in 2021 as a way to keep track of various objects such as luggage, car keys and wallets. The tech juggernaut has mentioned that AirTags should never be used to track living creatures such as pets, and certainly not for children. In spite of the fact that this is the case, parents seem to be eagerly using AirTags to make sure they know where their young children are.

The affordable 29 dollar price point for AirTags makes it far easier to use them in such a manner than might have been the case otherwise. Parents can simply slip an Air Tag into their child’s backpack or pocket, and they will be able to track their location just by checking their smartphones.

A veritable cottage industry has popped up that facilitates this type of usage which Apple is most definitely not signing off on. Tracker holders that have bright hues that appear to children are popping up, although some parents are taking things a step further by sewin the tags into the shoes or clothes of their kids.

GPS devices are seeing a huge boom among parents because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up giving them peace of mind. Other companies like Jiobit, Gizmo, Tile and Chipolo are also being used in such a manner with all things having been considered and taken into account.

It also bears mentioning that Alzheimer’s patients, people with dementia or really anyone that can’t fend for themselves can be protected through the use of these trackers as well. Pet owners are also using them for their animals.

However, some are saying that parents are invading their children’s privacy by tracking them. It also continues the decades long trend of children becoming increasingly less independent. Too much hovering from parents can inhibit a child’s ability to grow and mature, so the cons might outweigh the pros in this regard. Either way, it does not look like this trend will be going away anytime soon.

Zia Muhammad is a musician, writer and an avid information junkie. His areas of specialization include tech, history and the arts. In his free time he likes to discover new music and read.