First of all, I should offer up a disclaimer, I had a cell phone while in High School and College…infer what you will about my age. When I started high school, cell phones were just permeating their way into the nuclear family. I, unlike my younger cousins, had to get a job to pay the “cell phone bill” before the days of family plans and toddlers with Nokias.

One common rule in my household was whenever I went anywhere, I had to call and “check-in” with my parents as to where I was at, if I changed locations, I had to check in as well. The cell phone had opened up a whole new world of keeping tabs on me for my parents – they loved it (though I still paid the bill).

Recently, I downloaded the 4Square application for my blackberry. If you’re not familiar, it’s a social network that allows its users to check in from whatever location they’re at. So, let’s say I was at my neighborhood bar, I can “check in” with my 4square network and let them know. On top of that, 4Square will post a tweet letting anyone following me on twitter know where I was. Essentially, I could let anyone in my social network know I was having a beer. And anyone in the area would know (and presumably come flocking to meet me). Anyone stalking me (it happens quite often) would know my exact whereabouts anytime I checked in.

Flashback to 1999, for discussions sake, let’s say I had both twitter and 4square back in High School (making me either the coolest guy on campus, or the biggest nerd). My parents could have easily followed me on twitter, then had me check in anywhere I was at. Think about the convenience in not having to call them every time I was on the move. And imagine my parents – instantly calmed just by glancing at my twitter feed.

To say we’ve come a long way is a bit naïve; the important thing to note is that we’re still progressing. Who knows what kind of social networks and tracking we’ll have by the time I have kids? The one thing I do know is my kids are absolutely done for – they’re not getting anything by me.

Last 5 posts by Joe

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