The dangers and concerns that exist today have parents looking for child tracking device options that will help them monitor their children and ensure their safety even when they are away from home.

Whether you have a curious toddler or an independent teen, every parent wants the peace of mind of knowing where their children are, where they have been, and that they are safe. By clipping a small wireless device to your child's clothing, slipping it inside their backpack, or attaching it to the car, you can monitor location and keep in touch with your children at any time from your personal computer or smartphone.

Child tracking devices offer different options and capabilities, allowing you to choose the one that will be most appropriate for your child's age and needs.

For parents of small children, the primary concern is making sure that they stay within sight and do not wander away, particularly in crowded locations such as parks, malls, or grocery stores. In most cases, a simple and inexpensive system, consisting of a transmitter and receiving unit will help you keep track of your child, alert you when they wander off, and assist in locating them should they go missing.

1. Brickhouse Child Locator Device: This reliable and easy-to-use system includes many options, giving you the ability to quickly locate your child by pressing a button on the transmitter which will generate a beep on the corresponding receiving unit. This device will also emit a beep or vibration to alert you if your child wanders beyond a preset distance, and an on-screen display will provide audio and directional guidance that will help find a missing child from up to 600 feet away. And, since each device can track up to 24 tags at the same time, this is a great option for day care workers or parents with several young children.

As children grow older, the main concern is balancing their desire for freedom and independence with a parent's need to monitor their child's whereabouts and ensure that they are where they said they would be. There are several systems available that will allow you to grant your child certain privileges, but only within specified boundaries that you must define and program.

2. GemTrac GPS Locator System: This child tracking device will allow you to check your child's location from your personal computer or cell phone, or by calling customer service. GemTrac is equipped with a geofencing option so you can set boundries or zones and be alerted if these limits are breached. In addition, if your child is ever in a dangerous or threatening situation, they can send an S.O.S. alert by pushing a button, and the emergency audio feature allows the tracker to hear any sounds around the device so more accurate information can be obtained.

3. Amber Alert GPS: This tiny little device is easy to operate and offers many features that will allow you to monitor your child from any location. Parents can set alerts for their specific needs and be notified when their child reaches their destination, ventures outside a defined area, or travels faster than a specified speed which could indicate the possibility that they are in a vehicle without your permission. You can receive updates at regular intervals and be notified as frequently as every 5 minutes. Amber Alert allows you to see location maps with coordinates and street addresses, receive a history of tracking data, and define geofencing zones, speed limits, and destinations.

4. Spark Nano Real-Time GPS Tracking: This system has enhanced sensitivity which allows it to work in areas where less advanced trackers may fail. Known as the smallest tracking device, the Spark Nano can be slipped into a backpack or pocket, or attached to a car. As a parent or guardian, you can access maps that provide accurate locations, and the speed alert feature allows you to see vehicle speeds as well as driving reports. As with other GPS systems, the Spark Nano features a panic button, real time signals, and the ability to program geofencing limits and receive periodic updates and reports.

Child tracking device options provide parents of young children and child care workers the peace of mind they need when in busy or crowded locations, and also offer a way to give older children a little independence while still monitoring their location and ensuring their safety.