When I sent out an email to several hundred random addresses in a database kept by The Spokesman-Review, I was looking for local families who are using the new tracking features offered by several cell phone companies. (I didn't find any, by the way.)

What I got instead were several heartfelt responses from parents whose kids grew up in the much less technological world that existed just a few decades ago. They’re concerned that the more we rely on technology to keep in touch, the more disconnected we’re actually becoming.

I suspect they were grateful to have the chance to speak their minds. After all, how often do we ask those who raised us what they think of the job we’re doing? Probably not often enough.

Here are a few snippets from the emails I got back:

“You know… thinking about cell phones and kids, I’m glad we didn’t have that technology when raising our children. I think it just complicates our lives. It is handy for emergencies and such but, in many ways the cell phone adds to the tension and separation of the human element. Sound funny doesn’t it? People may be connected by wireless connections but, it seems to me what we require more of is a good old hand shake or a hug.”

“I think it’s a bad idea. Regardless of how much surveillance we place on our children, if there’s a will, there’s a way. I think it just tells our kids ‘I don’t trust you.’ I still remember when I was that age and I was very trustworthy, but still did things I was not supposed to do. My poor parents. Testing boundaries and doing stupid things is part of being a kid. Too bad our world is so much more dangerous now.”

“I … would love to have you tell it like it is in painting the picture of just one more step closer we are coming to a hands off raising of our kids. I hope that the parents of those who carry a new phone with this capability realize that they are deferring their parental responsibility to technology just as the parents of my time let the TV babysit and raise our kids. Look to what we have done, the jails are now full and our hearts are often fearful, empty and broken. Kids need parents and grandparents to monitor what they do and who they are with. They don’t need another surrogate parent that can’t hold, hug, care and love.”

“As a grandparent I can see very difficult trust issues coming out of this technology.”

“I shudder to think of living in a situation where this would seem like a good idea let alone trying to make the best of things.”

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