A Sportswear Company Releases Kids’ Shoes That Let Parents Track Their Location
⬤ Sketchers has announced a new line of children’s sneakers featuring a hidden compartment for Apple AirTags.
⬤ The shoes allow concerned parents to track their kids’ location continuously, with the tracking device safely concealed.
⬤ A growing number of users are turning to tracking devices to protect belongings and ensure their children’s safety.
The popular sportswear brand Sketchers has introduced a new line of kids’ shoes called Find My Sketchers. The most notable feature of this collection is its focus on giving parents peace of mind by helping them keep track of their children’s whereabouts.
Each pair of these new shoes includes a hidden compartment inside the heel, designed to hold an Apple AirTag or other similarly sized tracking device. This allows parents to monitor their child’s location at any time and confirm that they are where they should be.
The compartment is sealed with a small screw to keep the tracker secure and out of reach of children. It is placed beneath the inner sole, which still allows airflow through the shoe, so wearers should not feel any difference in comfort even while running or playing.
It appears that the shoes are not part of an official collaboration with Apple, as there are no visible Apple logos or product names in the marketing materials. Instead, the company notes that the shoes are “compatible with AirTag,” meaning users need to provide their own tracking devices.
Apple’s AirTag devices use low-energy, long-range Bluetooth signals to determine location with strong accuracy. They connect with nearby iPhones to share their position, making them part of one of the largest device networks in the world. While AirTags are the most well-known, they are not the only option, as similar trackers from companies like Tile and other smartphone brands have existed for years.
Although tracking devices have faced controversy over potential misuse for stalking, this particular use is likely to be viewed differently, since many parents see value in being able to discreetly track their children for safety. For parents of curious or adventurous kids, this feature could offer a welcome sense of reassurance.
Attaching tracking devices to children, bags, and pets has become one of the most common uses for this technology, but Sketchers’ new approach stands out for being subtle and hidden, which could make it even more appealing to anxious parents.
