Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

AirTags okay for elementary school kids?

Rainbow Apple said:
Why not both? That way there's redundancy. Plus, an AirTag in the backpack will mean that the kid can find his backpack if he misplaces it (if he gets an iPhone or something).
Click to expand...
True - plus that way if you lose the kid, at least you'll have the backpack for their little brother/sister ;)

Seriously though - it's not a good idea to put an AirTag in the kid's pack, if the kid doesn't have an iPhone paired to it. It's going to start broadcasting to everyone around it with an iPhone or Android that "Hey, an AirTag is following you!" - even if you disable the chirp, it'll still irritate every teacher, bus driver, older kid with a phone in close proximity to the child.
 
FreakinEurekan said:
Seriously though - it's not a good idea to put an AirTag in the kid's pack, if the kid doesn't have an iPhone paired to it. It's going to start broadcasting to everyone around it with an iPhone or Android that "Hey, an AirTag is following you!" - even if you disable the chirp, it'll still irritate every teacher, bus driver, older kid with a phone in close proximity to the child.
Click to expand...
If you're on a bus: You have to expect some AirTags which aren't yours to be around!
 
Rainbow Apple said:
If you're on a bus: You have to expect some AirTags which aren't yours to be around!
Click to expand...
Sure - but the key to it is AirTags not near their owner’s iPhones. If the owners phone is nearby, that suppresses the message. Only “rogue” AirTags will report.
 
That's a great idea, but there is one drawback. When the AirTag is separated from the iPhone, it emits a beeping sound intermittently. This can be quite inconvenient for students during classes. There are videos on YouTube demonstrating how to disable the speaker, but it seems that the newer version of AirTag has strengthened this feature, making it impossible to remove the speaker.

I suggest considering purchasing a third-party AirTag alternative. These alternatives offer similar functionality but at a much lower price. Additionally, you can simply insert a small piece of paper between the speaker to keep it permanently muted. I personally tested the YAOTE Tag, which I purchased on Amazon, but I'm not familiar with other products in the market.

www.amazon.com

YAOTE Air Tracker Tags 4 Pack Luggage Tracker Works with Find My (iOS only), Key Tracker, Wallet, Suitcase,Bicycle and More, Replaceable Battery, IP67 Waterproof

YAOTE Key Tracker is widely used for wallet, luggage tag, bakcpack, bags, suitcase and more, making you find your lost items easily, convenient for your life
www.amazon.com
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
For our toddler we just put one on his book bag. Tempted to get those airtag watch band holders for him but knowing him he might just take it off.

image.jpeg
 
  • Love
Reactions: goldmac2006
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
klspahr said:
Here’s another option:

DoHome COB Keychain Work Light Work with Apple Find My Anti Lost Small Keychain Flashlights Magnet Rechargeable Keychain Light COB LED Light Waterproof Portable Mini USB Pocket COB Work Lights - Amazon.com

DoHome COB Keychain Work Light Work with Apple Find My Anti Lost Small Keychain Flashlights Magnet Rechargeable Keychain Light COB LED Light Waterproof Portable Mini USB Pocket COB Work Lights - Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
Click to expand...
I shared this in another thread. This one is interesting in that when you hit 'play sound' in findmy, instead of beeping the light activates and flashes!

That said, for a child or their backpack i would go with a real airtag dor precision finding feature.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Kendo said:
Are these okay to put in my kids backpacks? I don't really expect to monitor them 24/7, just to make sure they got to school and also when they leave the school (for example I see them on the bus ride home) so I know when to meet them at the bus stop.
Click to expand...
This is not what they're for. You put one in a backpack that YOU are carrying, because AirTags are for tracking personal belongings that travel with you. They are NOT for tracking people, pets, vehicles or anything that is outside of your personal possession.

The amount of people who don't understand this is staggering, quite frankly. Despite me explaining this to my parents, they insist on strapping an AirTag to their dog's collar, and every time they leave him with me to watch him, the AirTag will randomly start beeping which freaks the dog out. I end up taking the collar off and leaving it in a closet until they return. Every. Single. Time. Unless you want the same thing to happen with your kid, I suggest you listen to what AirTag's are for.

If you're concerned with tracking your child, get them an Apple Watch or an iPhone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ajungi
Cirillo Gherardo said:
This is not what they're for. You put one in a backpack that YOU are carrying, because AirTags are for tracking personal belongings that travel with you. They are NOT for tracking people, pets, vehicles or anything that is outside of your personal possession.

The amount of people who don't understand this is staggering, quite frankly. Despite me explaining this to my parents, they insist on strapping an AirTag to their dog's collar, and every time they leave him with me to watch him, the AirTag will randomly start beeping which freaks the dog out. I end up taking the collar off and leaving it in a closet until they return. Every. Single. Time. Unless you want the same thing to happen with your kid, I suggest you listen to what AirTag's are for.

If you're concerned with tracking your child, get them an Apple Watch or an iPhone.
Click to expand...
OP here, I agree that isn't what they are intended for. I'd also consider an Apple Watch or an iPhone but they are much too young for those (ages 5 and 7). It's a bit of a Catch-22 in that when they get old enough for an iPhone, they'll be old enough where I won't feel the need to track them thus I don't need to get them an iPhone.

It's been a year since I posted this. Long story short, the bus route and pick up and drop off times are reliable thus I never needed or explored putting an AirTag in their backpacks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chuckeee
Cirillo Gherardo said:
This is not what they're for. You put one in a backpack that YOU are carrying, because AirTags are for tracking personal belongings that travel with you. They are NOT for tracking people, pets, vehicles or anything that is outside of your personal possession.

The amount of people who don't understand this is staggering, quite frankly. Despite me explaining this to my parents, they insist on strapping an AirTag to their dog's collar, and every time they leave him with me to watch him, the AirTag will randomly start beeping which freaks the dog out. I end up taking the collar off and leaving it in a closet until they return. Every. Single. Time. Unless you want the same thing to happen with your kid, I suggest you listen to what AirTag's are for.

If you're concerned with tracking your child, get them an Apple Watch or an iPhone.
Click to expand...
While you're right, disabling the speaker does solve for this.

That said, I too agree that a cheap cellular iwatch on family account is the way to go for kids. Not only do you get better tracking capability, the kid can be communicated with instantly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cirillo Gherardo
erihp said:
While you're right, disabling the speaker does solve for this.

That said, I too agree that a cheap cellular iwatch on family account is the way to go for kids. Not only do you get better tracking capability, the kid can be communicated with instantly.
Click to expand...
But it does not solve things like the teacher's phone alerting of an AirTag following them.
 
AsherN said:
But it does not solve things like the teacher's phone alerting of an AirTag following them.
Click to expand...
No, but nothing solves for that short of the teacher being informed and setting their device to ignore its presence.

It's not known what conditions need to be met to trigger the notification. The tag really shouldn't be 'following' the teacher beyond the school. In all instances I've seen, I am showed a map showing the device traveling with me for a considerable amount of time crossing long distances.

To be clear about the second suggestion for a Watch, the watch will never trigger a device following you alert. Which i find odd, since it provides much better realtime tracking capabilities and is just as small.
 
I just tried this to track my daughter's backpack. The goal was the same: to see where the bus is. But today my wife picked up our daughter from school. I decided to check the AirTag location to see when they would be home, and it wasn't tracking while my daughter was in the car with my wife. My wife had her iPhone with her. Is there any reason this AirTag wouldn't track in that scenario?
 
TonyC28 said:
I just tried this to track my daughter's backpack. The goal was the same: to see where the bus is. But today my wife picked up our daughter from school. I decided to check the AirTag location to see when they would be home, and it wasn't tracking while my daughter was in the car with my wife. My wife had her iPhone with her. Is there any reason this AirTag wouldn't track in that scenario?
Click to expand...

Apple does not disclose the updating frequency or pattern used.

One thing that would make it not work is if your wife has find my disabled. If you do not participate in find my, your device will not forward location of airtags it sees.

airtag the bus?? :X
 
I live in London UK and my kids don't have any of that stuff. Bags go missing. Might as well just say screw it, cut your losses and save losing the airtag as well.
 
Kendo said:
Are these okay to put in my kids backpacks? I don't really expect to monitor them 24/7, just to make sure they got to school and also when they leave the school (for example I see them on the bus ride home) so I know when to meet them at the bus stop.
Click to expand...
airtags dont show locations in real time. your probally wanting a apple watch with cellular .
 
My kids school don't allow any kind of smart device.

I was tempted to buy Airtags and put one in their bags (woth them knowing of course), but this thread has made me think twice simply in the basis of it possibly beep beeping in class!

I'm gonna look at how to disable the beeping and if that works muggy reconsider.
 
scouser75 said:
My kids school don't allow any kind of smart device.

I was tempted to buy Airtags and put one in their bags (woth them knowing of course), but this thread has made me think twice simply in the basis of it possibly beep beeping in class!

I'm gonna look at how to disable the beeping and if that works muggy reconsider.
Click to expand...
the speakers on non-apple findmy compatible tags are extremely trivial to remove on most models.

additionally 3rd party trackers will not beep when they are moved like the airtag does.
 
  • Like
Reactions: scouser75
erihp said:
the speakers on non-apple findmy compatible tags are extremely trivial to remove on most models.

additionally 3rd party trackers will not beep when they are moved like the airtag does.
Click to expand...
Thanks erihp. Can you recommend a good non-Apple tracker that works well with FindMy please?
 
scouser75 said:
Thanks erihp. Can you recommend a good non-Apple tracker that works well with FindMy please?
Click to expand...
It really just a matter of form factor, battery (internal pouch or coin), ability to be recharged/replaced, how it charges, integrated keyring, ease of removing speaker?

need some requirements before making a suggestion.

Generically, my eufy tags work well. but they all have, really. minus an early Onn tracker. Just dont install Eufy ( or anyones) app. only ever add via findmy.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: scouser75
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back