It now appears that George Orwell’s ideas regarding big brother were not too far off.  Well at least the date wasn’t too far off — 1984.  If he would have moved that date forward about a decade history might have  credited him with predicting the influences and experiences of Generation Y, and how those influences will affect the parenting methods that they will utilize with their own children.  Of course, Gen Y’s children are now being referred to as Generation Z. 

Let’s keep in mind that only a very small percentage of Generation Y are actually parents.  However, as with any generation their time will come to make parenting decisions, much of which will be based upon their own parent’s behaviors.  What has Gen Y experienced?  They were the antithesis of the Generation X and Echo Boomers who were known as Latch Key children.  Instead Generation Y has grown up with attention being lavished upon them. They’ve been coddled in every conceivable way.  Little in the way of previously considered luxuries have been withheld from them, i.e., XBox, flat screens, IPODS, cell phones, laptops, etc. 

They are connected, they don’t know any other reality.  They started text messaging in grade school.  Their parents bought them their first cell phone in order to keep tabs on them and to know where they were in emergency situations.  They’ve learned about GPS and Navigation as a way of life, and the internet was and is the modern day equivalent of the Encyclopedia Brittanica. 

The pursuit of must-have material items was greatly accelerated between the Baby Boomer and Gen X generation.  Let’s think warp speed when we consider Gen Y.  We can only imagine what the future holds for Gen Z.  Here’s a potential glimpse into the crystal ball.

In the future, mom and dad will parent with the help of technology.  After all, it’s what they know so why would we expect it to be any different?  Let’s consider GPS.  Through the use of products such as Mobile GPS, LoJack and Mobil Track; parents can keep a watchful virtual eye on their children.  They’ll be able to tell when teenage Ashton was speeding in the family car.  Through GPS technology they’ll be able to log-on and replicate the exact path of travel, simulate the dashboard instruments, lapsed time, braking and acceleration habits and current location.  If that sounds to good or horrible, depending on your take, to be true; just know that the technology is already alive and well.

What about the boomerang family?  Grams moves back in with the family as a result of suffering from Alzheimers.  She too can be tagged with a device somewhat similar to a house-arrest anklet in order to ascertain her exact location should she wonder away.  The use of low range radio frequency ID is prevelant within certain industries and its application to locating persons is now here.

Future parents will also be very involved in the social networking lives of their children.  Mom will be friends on little Jena’s facebook account, along with myspace and other sites.  Those thoughtful cell phones will turn into tracking devices without even the parent having to place a call.  Just log-on to Verizon’s Chaperone service to see that you can set up pre-approved child zones.  If your child is not there where they are supposed to be, the service will alert you that they’ve stepped out of the zone. 

How about cameras?  Practically every cell phone and pda has one now.  Hmm?  Couldn’t that be used to keep an eye on junior at the movie theatre?  Services like GoToMyCamera could very well allow anyone to set up remote cameras in various locations that could all be tied back into one quicly accessible website.

Maybe George Orwell really did know what he was talking about.  He just never considered that it would be parents and not the government.

Weigh in with your view…

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