Compare Skenazy's Argumentative Essay

Final Exam
“Do you wish you’d grown up with your mom tracking your every move? If not don’t do it to your own kid.” states Lenore Skenazy in her persuasive article Tracking Kids like Felons. These words draw an immediate comparison to “the golden rule” or “treat others how you want to be treated.” In this article Skenazy evaluates a personal-tracking app called FamilySignal. As the readers we see the author’s take on this specific point in the very first sentence when she uses sarcasm on the word “safe.” Skenazy does not give too many facts but she does base most of her article off of morals, which may even be more persuasive. Even in today’s day and age tracking ones every step is definitely not ok, even with the advanced technology that we have.

Skenazy hit everything right on the head and it could not have been worded any better.

From reading this article one of the main things that sold me were when she stated that this app was created with a primary purpose to track felons who are on house arrest. Skenazy states, “Childhood is not a crime. Down time is not dangerous. In fact, it’s the fertile soil where creativity takes root.” So not only are parents who support FamilySignal treating their children as Felons, but they are hindering their creativity which could also hurt them in the long run from a social or moral standpoint. Which brings me to my next point: moral incorrectness.
Skenazy makes fun of FamilySignal users and says they act like they are back in the “end times and evil forces.” Although she is exaggerating, it does make sense. At no time should one ever be able to be compared to something like that. On top of it being morally wrong, it is embarrassing for the kids, no one wants to be the friend that has to check up with their mommy every 20 minutes or gets chewed out if they are not in the place that they say they are. Let kids explore their childhood and venture out of their own comfort zone, not just the

parent’s.
Of course there are times where FamilySignal may be needed, like during the summer while you are at work, but it should never be permanent and definitely should not be sending alerts to a phone for every step he or she takes. Although this generation has a very high crime rate, constraining one from their abilities is just going to make them want to do what they are told not to do even more. This is morally wrong and could make their children raise their kids in the same way. Skenazy uses facts and personal experiences to back up her outlook on this particular app, she even asks the reader questions that she feels she already knows the answers to. If anyone does not see a problem with tracking their kids literally step-by-step then I would encourage them to read Skenazys article.