tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-189124212011-04-21T22:44:24.399+01:00The fervent tune-up of an aspirant writer's work.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13133470828630621903noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18912421.post-1131909542435306902005-11-13T19:09:00.000Z2005-11-13T19:22:43.523Z<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is the story of the girl who was grounded for life after she betrayed her parents' trust. Like many other teenage girls, she enjoyed nights out with friends. On one particular night she had arranged to go to a friend's house, but she sneaked away to meet a boy instead. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, she was caught by her parents who banned her from socialising again...<br /><br />Welcome to the world of electronic tagging. This girl's story could come true for countless other teenagers if a new tracking system is allowed to gain precedence in today's consumerist, totalitarian society. How would you feel as a teenager if your parents could track your every movements via a mobile handset? The obvious reaction is one of horror ("What?! They can't do that, I need some privacy!"). It's the thing of make-believe, except for the fact that no-one could dream this up. Our almighty government already watches our every move, down every street, in every town in the country, and now our parents could have the same privilege. How far will they go to satisfy their curiosities? Spying? Video-recording? They might one day start hiring private detectives. It seems like trust alone isn't enough anymore. We can't just say we're popping round to Sarah's without being given the third degree about where we're going, who we'll be with and when we'll be back. And they don't even believe us anyway. Of course, not all parents are the same. When pushed, I could even admit that for some, electronic tags might be a good idea. Some parents may have real cause for concern. The scheme might also be useful when tracking a lost phone, or it could be a reassurance knowing you can always be found, especially when in a strange place or out at night. But should we all be subjected to the same breach of privacy just because we're young and sociable? It's the thing of police dramas, like young offenders being tagged and told when and where they can move. Mobile tracking devices cost as little as £50 per year, an affordable price for plenty of families, so maybe it could soon be something to worry about.<br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18912421-113190954243530690?l=first-word.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13133470828630621903noreply@blogger.com0