-Caveat Lector- 'Tag your child' plans attacked Martin Bright, Education Correspondent Sunday August 1, 1999 London Observer http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/observer/uk_news/story/0,3879,70221,00.html A Revolution in British childcare is being heralded with the launch of an experimental programme to electronically tag young children. The controversial scheme, which is already being piloted by a British supermarket chain, is being introduced to allay parents' fears that their children could stray out of sight or be snatched by paedophiles. Parents will soon be able to fit small children with electronic tags which will sound an alarm if the child travels out of an area scanned by surveillance equipment. The tag - likely to be bought by schools, libraries, nurseries and play-schemes - combines anti-shoplifting technology with the kind of sophisticated surveillance equipment used to track criminals released from prison. It is already used in shopping malls and nurseries across the United States, with backing from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. Parents' groups and Neighbourhood Watch schemes could also buy the technology to prevent children from wandering too far from home. Supporters of the new technology argue that such a system could have prevented the murder of toddler Jamie Bulger, who was led away from a shopping centre in Bootle and killed by two 10-year-old boys in 1993. While anxious parents may be pleased by the prospect of always knowing where their children are, child welfare groups last night condemned the scheme, saying it marked the end of a carefree childhood for the next generation and would usher in a new era of paranoia. Eva Lloyd, Chief Executive of the National Early Years Network, said: 'This is part of a worrying movement to remove our children from all risks and dangers. We are bringing our children up without the experience they need to let go of the apron strings.' Fewer than 10 children are murdered every year, a rate that has not risen for 25 years. Surveys show that children are more frightened of abduction than the far greater danger of road accidents. Tesco piloted the scheme at cr�ches in its out-of-town hypermarkets. In some stores more than 100 children were being tagged each day. Tesco executives are now planning to launch the scheme in all its stores with a cr�che. A spokesman for Tesco said: 'It may sound a bit like Big Brother, but we believe the benefits for parents are clear. It would also allow us to follow the progress of the child if we wanted to.' The tag system, known as SafeKids, can be bought from Sensormatic, the largest electronic security company in the United States. The tag is contained in a brightly coloured tab worn by the child. If the child wanders from the cr�che, an alarm sounds and the parent is alerted by a pager. The cr�che is monitored by CCTV cameras. In the more sophisticated US versions of the tag, CCTV cameras zoom in on the child when the alarm sounds. Screens around the store then flash up images of the missing child and security staff are sent to the scene of the incident. Karen Burrows, manager of the Tesco Kids Club in Peterborough said: 'We believe it makes children feel secure and gives parents peace of mind.' A report to be issued by the National Early Years Network warns that children smothered by protective measures could suffer damage. Too Safe for Their Own Good? says parents should allow children to take risks so they learn how to deal with danger. Child psychologist Jennie Lindon, the author of the report, said: 'It is ridiculous that we have got to the position of trusting technology to take care of our children more than we trust ourselves.' DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
