Why AirTags Aren’t Enough to Keep Kids Safe

Find out why AirTags fall short on child safety—and how Littlebird's dedicated tracking gives parents true peace of mind.
Monica Plath
3 min read

When it comes to tracking kids, parents often consider solutions like AirTags, which work well for items like keys or backpacks. But are these object-oriented trackers enough to ensure the safety of your child? Here’s why AirTags and similar general-purpose trackers fall short and why dedicated safety devices like Littlebird are a better choice for parents who want reliable, on-demand location tracking and peace of mind.

AirTags Were Designed To Track Objects, Not People

Apple’s AirTags are excellent for finding lost items, operating by connecting to nearby Apple devices in the “Find My” network. But children are not stationary like a set of keys, and they may not always be near iPhones. If your child is in a less populated area (such as a neighborhood or in an overly crowded space like a baseball game or festival, the AirTag may struggle to update location, leaving parents with limited or outdated information.

In contrast, Littlebird was built specifically to locate children when apart from their parents and caregivers. It connects on-demand to multiple connectivity networks in your home and in the wild to help provide the ultimate peace-of-mind! This versatile network access provides reliable location tracking that isn’t dependent on other nearby devices, ensuring parents can locate their child when needed.

On-Demand Location Updates Are Limited with AirTags

AirTags don’t offer the consistent, on-demand tracking that parents need to monitor a child’s whereabouts. AirTags rely on pinging nearby Apple devices to transmit location updates, meaning they may not update for minutes or even hours if an Apple device isn’t nearby- a disaster when on vacation or Trick-or Treating! When locating a lost child, even brief delays can make a difference. Littlebird’s device, however, allows parents to request location updates on-demand providing reliable, accessible tracking wherever their child goes.

AirTags Don’t Account for Safety Patterns and Risks

AirTags can give you the last known location of an item, but they offer little else in terms of safety features. They don’t track behavior or monitor patterns, which are essential for understanding whether a child is safe or might be in an unusual situation. Littlebird’s AI-powered technology, however, takes safety tracking a step further by recognizing your child’s daily pattern and can send alerts if something unusual happens. For instance, if your child unexpectedly leaves a designated safe zone such as their school, Littlebird can notify you, allowing you to check in quickly.

Durability and Kid-Friendly Design Matters

Another limitation of AirTags is that they weren’t designed with children in mind. Kids can easily remove or misplace AirTags, or they may accidentally leave them behind at school, a friend’s house, or on the bus. Littlebird addresses this issue with a durable, kid-friendly design that’s specifically made to be worn by children. Because Littlebird is cellular-enabled, you can track a lost Littlebird tracker directly from your app. The tracker itself is secure and designed to stay on your child comfortably throughout their day.

Littlebird Offers Peace of Mind with More Than Just Location

For parents, keeping kids safe isn’t just about knowing where they are—it’s also about understanding when something might be wrong. Littlebird goes beyond location tracking, adding critical features designed specifically for children. It learns your child’s behavior patterns and alerts you to potential risks, which is crucial for parents seeking peace of mind. AirTags simply don’t offer these proactive safety features, which are essential for those who need dependable monitoring.

The Bottom Line: Littlebird vs. AirTags

AirTags are not built with the specific needs of child safety in mind. They’re tools for tracking items like luggage, not children in an emergency. Littlebird, on the other hand, offers a dedicated child safety solution that gives parents reliable location precision and robust safety monitoring, so you can feel confident knowing where your child is.

Ultimately, a dedicated safety tracker like Littlebird offers a smarter, more reliable way to protect kids, giving parents peace of mind that a standard tracker simply can’t provide. This enhanced security means parents can feel confident and stay connected with their children, no matter where they are.

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1. Live tracking works anywhere with cellular connectivity on our U.S. Precision+ network. Live tracking & alerts require your phone have internet and notifications enabled. 2. Choose color and style at order confirmation. 3. Littlebird is available for pre-order to our waitlist with limited availability. Littlebird Safety Plan is $25/mo. with a 12-month commitment.

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