From the Beginning: Children as Subjects and Agents of Surveillance

Abstract

This article examines the claims made by surveillance entrepreneurs selling surveillance to parents and government agencies responsible for children.  Technologies examined include pre-natal testing, baby monitors and nanny cams, RFID-enabled clothing, GPS tracking devices, cell phones, home drug and semen tests, and surveillance toys.  We argue that governments, both in the contest of health care and education, use surveillance to identify and “manage” genetic or behavioural deviations from the norm.  Parents, on the other hand, are encouraged to buy surveillance technologies to keep the child “safe”.  Although there is a secondary emphasis on parental convenience and freedom, surveillance is predominately offered as a necessary tool of responsible and loving parenting.  Entrepreneurs also claim that parents cannot trust their children to behave in pro-social ways, and must resort to spying to overcome children’s tendency to lie and hide their bad behaviour.  We conclude by offering some ideas to rein in the variety and complexity of the issues raised and to help order controversies in this domain.