Australian parents are turning to affordable smart technology to solve a common and costly problem: children losing expensive school items daily. With replacement costs for items like blazers and musical instruments running into hundreds or even thousands of dollars, tracking devices priced at just $50 are proving to be a valuable investment.
The Growing Trend of Tracking Tags in Schools
Every day, children misplace hats, jackets, lunch boxes, and school bags, but smart parents are now using tracking tags to locate these items quickly. Whether it is a blazer hidden under a pile of clothes or a school bag left behind after sports practice, these gadgets are saving the day and helping families avoid significant financial losses.
How Tracking Technology Works
Jeff Woodhouse, executive general manager of Mobile and Computer Technology at Harvey Norman, explains that parents quickly embraced tracking tags when they became available. "School bags and musical instruments are quite common items to track, but they are being used for anything that has a bit of value," he says. "Anything that you could normally put a key ring on can be tracked. It is super-convenient."
Tracking tags, which are about the size of a 20-cent piece and weigh only a few grams, can be easily placed in a bag or sewn into clothing. They can also be attached to key rings, allowing parents to monitor their child's location or find lost items like keys.
Cost-Effective Solutions for Families
With replacement costs exceeding $100 for a school blazer or $1000 for a violin, a reusable $50 tag acts as a practical insurance measure. The expense of replacing a school bag can escalate into hundreds or thousands of dollars when including items like laptops, headphones, and premium drink bottles.
Mr Woodhouse highlights the affordability and versatility of these devices: "Trackers are certainly very good value and not crazy-expensive, and you can either buy in four-packs or just single, depending on how many you need. Most tracking tags have a level of water resistance, making them safe for items like blazers that require dry cleaning."
Popular Tracking Devices on the Market
Several tracking devices are available to suit different needs and smartphone ecosystems:
Apple AirTag
This tracking tag connects to iPhones and other Apple devices. Weighing just 40 grams and similar in size to a 20-cent piece, it can be attached to key rings, slipped into a backpack, or sewn into a blazer. When in Lost mode, users receive automatic notifications if the tag is detected within Apple's Find My network.
Motorola Moto Tag with Bluetooth Tracker
Designed for Android phones, this tag connects via Google's Find My Device app. It weighs 100 grams and has a 3cm radius, allowing it to be attached to keys, placed in a backpack, or sewn into clothing. Its Precision Finding feature accurately locates tags, even when offline.
Smart Watches for Younger Children
For younger kids, age-appropriate smart watches with GPS tracking offer additional peace of mind, though they come at a higher cost. These devices function similarly to tracking tags and can help parents monitor their child's location, such as ensuring they board the correct bus for the first time.
Ease of Use and Additional Features
Tracking devices are simple to operate, automatically connecting to a smartphone via a dedicated app when activated. Parents can personalise tags by naming them on their smartphones, such as "Johnny's blazer" or "Mary's violin," making it easier to identify specific items.
Additionally, school electronics like laptops often have built-in location sharing features when logged into an account, which can help locate the device and its bag if lost.
As technology continues to evolve, these smart solutions are becoming an essential tool for Australian families, reducing stress and saving money in the process.
