BAKERSFIELD, CA - Technology is changing the way you keep an eye on your child.
Some parents say tracking devices give them peace of mind knowing where their kids are at all times.
But, is this invading the child's privacy?
If you check the internet, there are dozens of gadgets, gizmos, and devices that allow parents to spy on their children.
Parents have good reason to worry. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 2,000 children are reported missing each day.
It happens somewhere every day. It happens in Kern County a couple times a month.
Online you'll find a lot of devices to track your child's every move, devices that are becoming more popular with parents.
"We look at this for being a lifestyle product for parents," said Amber Alert GPS, Vice President Julia Howard.
The Amber Alert GPS company of Salt Lake City lent 17 News a tracking device so we could put it to the test.
17's Aric Richards drove around Bakersfield for an hour with the tracking device in the news car.
Every five minutes, it recorded his location, the route he had traveled, and even how fast the car was going.
After we tested out the S.O.S button, it took us about ten minutes to find the location from where the button was pushed.
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the first three hours are the most critical when trying to find a missing child.
But with the GPS, you'll receive a text within 30 seconds giving you an address. It's a device that brings comfort to Yanette Licon.
Her daughters, 8-year-old Yazmin and 6-year-old Isabella, are active kids, each with a big personality and busy schedule.
"Isa is very outgoing, very strong personality, she tells it like it is. And, Yazmin also very outgoing. Neither one of my children are shy at all, social little butterflies," said Licon.
But, with both girls being so social, it worries their mom.
So we let them test the tracking device.
As the girls went off to school or anywhere else, Yanette tracked them on her I phone.
"I knew when they were at lunch. I knew when they were in their class. I knew when they would go to the office, and that just gave me peace of mind knowing exactly where they were at all times," said Licon.
"If we were to get lost or anything, she would know exactly where we were," said Yazmin Licon.
"Even if we're visiting someone, take it with me just in case," said Isabella Licon.
"I'm a single mom so for me, having that extra little comfort definitely helps," said Yanette.
While they were using the device, Yanette noticed how many sex offenders lived nearby, by clicking a feature called 'Predator Alert.'
"Tells you the crime they committed. Gives you a picture. Gives you everything," said Licon.
"When your child comes within 500 feet of one of these homes, you'll be sent a text message or e-mail," said Howard.
Howard says the Amber Alert GPS is synched with the national sex offender database.
"For me as a mom and a working mom, I like to know first where my kids are at. I like to know, if they say they're somewhere, they really are at that particular place. And, also if I want to call them and get a hold of them, I can, just like that," said Howard.
But, some say a device like this invades your privacy.
Clinical Psychologist Dr. Corey Gonzales thinks tracking devices are the wrong idea.
"If it's more for your own needs to have control, that's something you need to look at. It really should be for the best interest of the children and helping the children prepare for life and develop, not so much for the parent's need to control because eventually they're going to have to learn to let go, and that's the goal of parenting," said Gonzales.
But, single mom Yanette says a device like this gives her piece of mind and provides a sense of security she can't always give her daughters.
"Knowing that device is on her and that I know exactly where she's at if God forbid anything were to happen, you know, that's very comforting," said Licon.
The Amber Alert GPS will cost you $200, plus a monthly subscription fee of about $15.
There are many other trackers out there. Some are less expensive, others have different features.