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Using AirTag to track kids (< 10 years old) onboard?

mkkao924

By mkkao924,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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mkkao924

mkkao924

Posted
Posted

I know Apple does not recommend to use AirTag to track kids, and I don't intend to rely on using this solely to track kids, but I am wondering if this even works onboard (at sea) as supplemental method of tracking? For example, when they are in kids club, I might be able to use it to track if they still stay in kids club or they ran out.

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hallux

hallux

Posted
Posted (edited)

The AirTag, like similar products, relies on other iPhone owners' devices 'reading' the tag and reporting to the system where it was on earth using their device's GPS location at the time of the encounter.  Within 5 seconds that location is out of date, not to mention that location is going to be a random spot in the middle of the ocean rather than being identified as on the ship.  Oh, and GPS signals are often blocked inside the metal of the ship, especially where the kids clubs are usually located.

 

It relies on those devices that encounter the tag having a constant internet connection as well.  Imagine someone's device encountering your child, then 30 minutes later they turn on their internet.  You go to look at the location of that tag and it's 30 or more miles BEHIND the ship because another device hasn't encountered the tag since then.

 

IMO - they're best used on land or for tracking bags that are handed over to an airline for a flight.

 

In other words, it'll more of a game of "hot or cold" than a "OH, THAT'S where they are!"

 

A story about a Tile tag situation.  My sister had one in her checked bag when we flew home from LA.  We had a layover in Philadelphia.  When we got to our home airport the tag was "seen" in Chicago!  My assumption being that someone sitting on the plane near her bag that was also a Tile community member had picked up her Tile, that person deboarded the first flight and proceeded to a flight to Chicago from Philadelphia.  That person landed in Chicago before we got to our home airport and their app reported in their location in Chicago as the location of her bag, UNTIL someone in our airport encountered her tag and reported the location.

Edited by hallux
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happytotravel

happytotravel

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Charles4515 said:

If your kids are under ten it is hard for me to imagine they will be allowed the run out of the kids club. And I don’t think you would be giving kids that young run of the ship. You don’t need trackers. 

I ditto your comments!

happytotravel

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CrazyTrain2

CrazyTrain2

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Posted

If you are that worried, leave them with Grandma - then send Grandma on a cruise in thanks.  

You are trying to build adults not dependent kids that lack the skills to leave the nest.

 

Let them try to order a drink at the bar, eat French fries without asking, have a 5th slice of pizza or mix all the drinks in the soda dispenser.

 

Give them a check in time.  If they miss it, toss 'em overboard.

 

Some of us grey haired ex-parents did this before "smart" phones and GPS trackers - AMAZING!!

 

I'll be over at Virgin loving the all adult cruises.

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Middleager

Middleager

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48 minutes ago, CrazyTrain2 said:

Give them a check in time.  If they miss it, toss 'em overboard.

 

Some of us grey haired ex-parents did this before "smart" phones and GPS trackers - AMAZING!!

Curious how many of your kids have you tossed overboard? 😁

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joshgates

joshgates

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No, it won't work.  While you're in the ship you're not getting GPS or a cell signal, especially while you're underway so it'll report the location (if it reports at all) based on the ships internet provider.  Last summer when I checked mine out of curiosity it had them in Miami the entire trip.

 

About the only time it could conceivably work is when they're on the top deck, in port, and near someone who's connected to the mobile network of whatever port you're in.

 

You could use precision finding, but at that point you're going to be close enough to see them anyways.

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Yesimapirate

Yesimapirate

Posted
Posted
25 minutes ago, Middleager said:

So what's recommended to keep track of the wives?  (Chip implanted in the back of the neck while she sleeps?) 🤪

Since your said "wives" instead of wife, I would imagine they would need to keep track of you instead of the other way around 🤔 

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CrazyTrain2

CrazyTrain2

Posted
Posted (edited)
4 minutes ago, Yesimapirate said:

Since your said "wives" instead of wife, I would imagine they would need to keep track of you instead of the other way around 🤔 

Apple Airtag has a 4 pack for the wives.  I just track the credit card swipes.

Edited by CrazyTrain2
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MSUjohn

MSUjohn

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, CrazyTrain2 said:

If you are that worried, leave them with Grandma - then send Grandma on a cruise in thanks.  

You are trying to build adults not dependent kids that lack the skills to leave the nest.

 

Let them try to order a drink at the bar, eat French fries without asking, have a 5th slice of pizza or mix all the drinks in the soda dispenser.

 

Give them a check in time.  If they miss it, toss 'em overboard.

 

Some of us grey haired ex-parents did this before "smart" phones and GPS trackers - AMAZING!!

 

I'll be over at Virgin loving the all adult cruises.

and the let them eat the full consequences of their mistakes/transgressions.

with my parents unless it was my life, limb or eyesight i was dealing with it from a very young age. 

 

 

i am so VERY thankful i was raised with the final free range / latch key kids.

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mkkao924

mkkao924

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Posted
21 hours ago, hallux said:

The AirTag, like similar products, relies on other iPhone owners' devices 'reading' the tag and reporting to the system where it was on earth using their device's GPS location at the time of the encounter.  Within 5 seconds that location is out of date, not to mention that location is going to be a random spot in the middle of the ocean rather than being identified as on the ship.  Oh, and GPS signals are often blocked inside the metal of the ship, especially where the kids clubs are usually located.

 

It relies on those devices that encounter the tag having a constant internet connection as well.  Imagine someone's device encountering your child, then 30 minutes later they turn on their internet.  You go to look at the location of that tag and it's 30 or more miles BEHIND the ship because another device hasn't encountered the tag since then.

 

IMO - they're best used on land or for tracking bags that are handed over to an airline for a flight.

 

In other words, it'll more of a game of "hot or cold" than a "OH, THAT'S where they are!"

 

A story about a Tile tag situation.  My sister had one in her checked bag when we flew home from LA.  We had a layover in Philadelphia.  When we got to our home airport the tag was "seen" in Chicago!  My assumption being that someone sitting on the plane near her bag that was also a Tile community member had picked up her Tile, that person deboarded the first flight and proceeded to a flight to Chicago from Philadelphia.  That person landed in Chicago before we got to our home airport and their app reported in their location in Chicago as the location of her bag, UNTIL someone in our airport encountered her tag and reported the location.

Thanks for the explanation! I just got AirTag last month and will use it to track luggage for our upcoming cruise. I guess I will use the old fashioned kids backpack with leash then (kidding!)

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Charles4515

Charles4515

Posted
Posted
12 minutes ago, MSUjohn said:

and the let them eat the full consequences of their mistakes/transgressions.

with my parents unless it was my life, limb or eyesight i was dealing with it from a very young age. 

 

 

i am so VERY thankful i was raised with the final free range / latch key kids.

Back then the general population did not know there were preditors and traffickers. They existed and molested children but it was kept secret. Children do need protection in our society as it is now. 

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MSUjohn

MSUjohn

Posted
Posted (edited)
19 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

Back then the general population did not know there were preditors and traffickers. They existed and molested children but it was kept secret. Children do need protection in our society as it is now. 

 

Edited by MSUjohn
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MSUjohn

MSUjohn

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Posted (edited)
22 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

I would guess you will only be able to tell they are on the ship. If you have a later iPhone and can use precision tracking you would still have to have a general idea where they are. 

"Trafficking" is a moral panic and "predators".... stranger danger is grossly overstated....(and is the lasting moral panic that wont die) the VAST majority of actually predation on said prepubescents is by a "person of trust"  (family member/ close family friend/ respected member of town).

i am saying this as a prison guard...who is definitely NOT at work typing this a mere 25 yards from an individual that snatched, "assaulted*", murdered and dumped an 11 year old girl in the 1970s

 

 

this got dark, fast. back to cruising: i am really looking forward to my lisbon to new york TA.

 

*changed because they hid my post

Edited by MSUjohn
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CrazyTrain2

CrazyTrain2

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In case you were not aware, a cruise ship is perhaps the most video controlled secure environment in the world deploying video surveillance and facial recognition throughout the ship.  Every passenger is tracked throughout the day and throughout the ship.   Yes, you agreed to this in your sailing contract.  The data is not only used for security, but also to track passenger movement between locations and through high value areas (shopping/spa/casino/sail again/etc).  It influences the design of the ship since they try to maximize your exposure to these areas tempting you to spend more on board.  So not only is there a safety motive but more importantly a PROFIT motive to cameras and surveillance.  Not to mention there is NO anonymity on board a ship nor much possibility of escape if caught.

 

So it it highly unlikely a child predator would be very effective on board a ship.  A cruise ship may be target rich but opportunity poor and high consequences.  Now, all bets are off on the intoxicated idiots but overall kids are pretty darn safe on board.  Stand down heli-parents, it will be fine.

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Charles4515

Charles4515

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Posted
4 hours ago, CrazyTrain2 said:

In case you were not aware, a cruise ship is perhaps the most video controlled secure environment in the world deploying video surveillance and facial recognition throughout the ship.  Every passenger is tracked throughout the day and throughout the ship.   Yes, you agreed to this in your sailing contract.  The data is not only used for security, but also to track passenger movement between locations and through high value areas (shopping/spa/casino/sail again/etc).  It influences the design of the ship since they try to maximize your exposure to these areas tempting you to spend more on board.  So not only is there a safety motive but more importantly a PROFIT motive to cameras and surveillance.  Not to mention there is NO anonymity on board a ship nor much possibility of escape if caught.

 

So it it highly unlikely a child predator would be very effective on board a ship.  A cruise ship may be target rich but opportunity poor and high consequences.  Now, all bets are off on the intoxicated idiots but overall kids are pretty darn safe on board.  Stand down heli-parents, it will be fine.

You are naive. There have been predators caught on cruise ships and there is crime. There have been rapes and sexual assaults.  

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