A new system is being launched that allows parents to spy on their kids’ lunch choices. I’m feeling a bit conflicted about this technology. I knew it would happen eventually, as the technology is very, very simple to implement. However, now that it’s here, I’m wondering what is more important: to reduce obesity in America (in this case, America’s youth), or to protect the privacy of people (albeit under 18). Do minors have a right to privacy? Similarly, do they deserve the trust of their parental units? Do parents deserve to know what exactly their money is going (and in such a specific manner), in terms of their kids’ lunches? Will this be tracked by more than the student, school, and parent? Will the information get sold to interested parties (FDA, food companies, grocerers)?

Where will the hey-we-could-totally-make-this-data-trackable line be drawn? Or will it be drawn at all?

This entry was posted on Monday, May 30th, 2005 at 4:57 pm and is filed under Education, America, Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.