Holidays are a time when we want to enjoy freedom and relaxation while ensuring the safety of our children. In this context, the use of location apps, which help parents track their children's whereabouts, is becoming increasingly popular. However, it is important to remember that using such technologies should always comply with privacy principles and the GDPR, which regulate the processing of personal data in the European Union. The GDPR (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016) requires data to be processed lawfully, fairly and transparently for the person concerned (Article 5), on a specific legal basis such as consent (Article 6) – and the child should also understand what is collected and why.
There is a growing number of location apps on the market that offer parents the ability to check their children's positions in real time. It is important for children to understand how these apps work and why we use them – how to talk about it, we describe in how to tell your child that you can see their location. Digital safety education helps too: following safety rules and respecting the privacy of information is one of the aims of computer science in the Polish primary school core curriculum.
During holiday trips, alternatives to tracking apps can be local tourist services, which often offer child-friendly tours and programmes, such as in theme parks. Before you head into a crowd – a beach, an amusement park or a festival – agree on a fixed meeting point with your child and make sure they know your phone number by heart. If you still get separated and cannot find your child, don't wait – call 112 (see our plan for the first 60 minutes).
When considering the use of any location technology, it is important to maintain a balance between safety and privacy. The use of technology should complement, not substitute, parental supervision and education. Remember that talking to children about how these tools work and why we use them increases their awareness and understanding of privacy issues.
If you have concerns about your family's safety and need support, you can contact local social assistance institutions or psychological counselling centres, or in Poland call the free helpline for adults on child safety, 800 100 100. Travelling abroad? See also our article on roaming and settings before departure.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), OJ L 119, 4.5.2016 – Art. 5 (lawfulness, fairness, transparency), Art. 6 (legal bases, incl. consent)
- Regulation of the Minister of National Education of 14 February 2017 on the core curriculum (Journal of Laws 2017, item 356) (in Polish) – computer science, aim V: following the law and safety rules, respecting the privacy of information
- Helplines – Fundacja Dajemy Dzieciom Siłę (in Polish) – 800 100 100