Coming Monday

In this case, it isn’t Big Brother who’s watching — it’s Big Mother (or Father).

More parents are using high-tech methods to track everything from where their children are and how far they are driving to what they buy, what they eat and whether they’ve shown up for class.

Often, the gadget involved is a simple cell phone that transmits location data. The details get delivered by e-mail, cell phone text message or the Web.

It might sound invasive, but many parents are convinced it’s keeping their kids safer — partly because they know they’re being watched.

Watch for this story in Monday’s Business section.