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Parents, this may be the ultimate solution to your problem.
Wireless tracking systems to trace objects and even people are now being developed by Siemens and Motorola, two of the leading names in wireless communications technology. Both companies presented the possibility of using wireless networks in conjunction with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) at The Wireless Event, held in London.
 RFID may sound alien to you, but you probably have encountered it many times in your day-to-day life. Certain major retailers use RFID tags on their products, although RFID can only permit tracking and identification on a very limited range, just enough to track items within the store premises (so there is no cause of any worries for privacy issues...for now). Many countries also use RFID technology in passports as well as transport payments, such as toll collection. Some libraries even use RFID tags on their books, CDs and DVDs, and VHS tapes.
RFID tags alone are passive - they do not have their own power source, and thus only transmit a response when read by a scanner. However, when coupled with current wi-fi technology, RFID can be used for tracking stolen laptops, phones, and even teenagers who managed to sneak out of their windows.
The possibilities are endless: Students can be tracked whenever an emergency - such as a fire or earthquake - arises, and even make retrieving lost items much easier. Employee activities can also be monitored in much more detail, "You can record movements over a period of time. You can see if the security guard in the night makes the right rounds, for example," said Mr. Marcus Birkl, head of wireless at Siemens. He adds, "It's very useful for the health care industry - where there are highly expensive pieces of mobile equipment that move around a hospital...At every point in the day health staff need to know where it is." Indeed, the use of RFID with wi-fi would spare a lot of headaches, especially for people working in Facilities Management.
Of course, this has prompted mixed response from the public. Some consumers have expressed concerns regarding the possibility of using RFID and wi-fi in consumer spending trends, as well as increased likelihood of breach of privacy. Majority of the respondents of a recent pan-Europe consultation about RFID have even agreed that regulations should be put in place to monitor the use of tags.
Mr. Birkl agrees on the regulations issue. "There needs to be standards put in place so the data is not abused for other purposes," said Mr Birkl. "But there are clear benefits to keeping people safe."
Sorry, kids. Looks like you won't be able to sneak out of the house anymore.
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