One of my favorite passions is tracking the new and sometimes crazy gadgets that are out there.  A great site for this is Engadget, who recently picked up a story about a GPS locator system designed for children.

Sold by GuardianLion.com, the $350 device boasts an enhanced GPS reception capability for better reception indoors, has a panic button, and can even be programmed to trigger an alert if your child strays outside of a predetermined area such as their route from home to school.  Prospective buyers should also know there are also $39.95 monthly fees for the monitoring service.

While I think this kind of service can provide some peace of mind, parents should remember that as these devices proliferate serious kidnappers will respond in kind by stripping the child of any possible tracking or communications device such as watches, cell phones or devices such as the GuardianLion.  I would recommend to the industry that they find a way to develop a device that detects when it has been removed from the child, and I would recommend to parents that no such device is a substitute for street-proofing your kids and generally keeping an eye on them.