Your analogy doesn't work. Of course we shouldn't deny them cell phones! Just as we should teach them how to drive before giving them a car, we should also teach them how to safely use cell phones. AND we should keep up on understanding the changes in the technology as well.
Thanks. My general rule of thumb is to only advocate for continual improvement through on-going learning.
I consider myself to be pretty tech-savvy and was SHOCKED to learn that GPS coordinates get auto-embedded in images. I'd never considered this before and don't consider the extra information (GPS coordinates that can easily be mapped to an exact location) something that "should be" (yet it is) made available to anyone who can view a picture.
In other words, let's say, I'm super careful to not include identifying information in my photos (my name, school name, city landmarks, etc) and take a picture of say, my stereo system. I've now included with this image the exact coordinates for where my home (with stereo) is located. Now a potential thief has this information (w/Google Map directions).
It's super hard to be intentional about all of our choices and actions (including using GPS data w/cell phone images). That said, the more we all know, the more each of us is able to make decisions that best align with our own views, values and understandings. It's one thing for an adult to make a decision or not make a decision about inclusion of GPS data in their cell phone taken images, it takes another level of consideration when it involves giving that capability to children. THANK YOU for helping me to capture and better articulate my thoughts in this area!
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