(For the record, I am not an Apple user, but found this to be very interesting.)

Apples newest product innovation, the AirTag, sounds like a busy persons dream - a small device that you can stick on anything so that if you lose it, you can track it and find it quickly. Some are looking at these air tags as a way to keep track of their young school-aged children; however, a word of caution is necessary here - if you can track your child, so could someone else.

How the AirTag works

The AirTag is a small round device that easily is slipped into a pocket of your laptop bag for example, or can be clipped to an item using something similar to a keychain thats specifically geared to the AirTag. The idea is that you can slip one of these devices into your valuables, like your wallet, to avoid the stress of losing it. Should an AirTag owner lose the item with an AirTag attached to it, then it can be easily found through the FindMy app or simply by asking Siri to locate that specific item. The device will then make a sound, and you can follow that sound until the missing object is visible. Alternatively, the location will be visible on the FindMy app. A third option allows you to report it as lost, and as soon as the AirTag connects to a nearby network, your phone will receive a notification with the address/location where it has pinged at.

Apples Promises of Safety

Apple makes promises of it being designed to discourage unwanted tracking. According to Apple, your phone will be alerted if somebody else puts their AirTag close to you. If you get an alert and haven't found it though, the AirTag will make a noise so you can find it and remove it.

Reports on AirTags

As much as Apple assures that AirTags cant be used for any kind of illegal activity, there have been various reports on people being stalked using AirTags. Newsweek reported of a woman who went viral saying that she found an AirTag on her car (that wasn't hers), that had been tracking her for hours. A more obvious threat is that non-iPhone users wont be alerted of a foreign AirTag being inserted into their clothing, backpack, or mode of transportation. This is of course concerning to parents, who may be unaware of these tracking devices should they not have an iPhone. Yes, a noise will be made by the AirTag when it is nowhere near the owners phone, however, what Apple fails to mention is that the AirTag only starts making a sound after 3 days of being separated from its owner. The sound is also not the loudest, so unless you know what you're keeping an ear open for and don't have any other music or noises going on, it could easily be overheard.

As much as Apple has done a great job with product innovation when it comes to earphones, laptops, and phones; this is one product that misses the mark when it comes to safety. Its helpful to make children aware of the importance of not letting their personal belongings out of sight when they're not in familiar surroundings. Children also should always be aware of strangers who are too close to them.

Hopefully, Apple will come up with a solution to the possible dangers of this device, however, if in the meantime you're looking to move to a new home or neighborhood and safety is a top concern of yours, please keep Oakington Realty in mind.