Give Your Kid A Tattoo For Their Own Good
April 12, 2008 1:52 PM   Subscribe

SafetyTat- Temporary tattoos designed designed to be used as identification devices for children. Includes several designs for non-verbal and autistic children. Via That's Fit.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero (48 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
I don't think silentmiaow would be so fond of the missing puzzle piece to denote autism, but a good idea nonetheless.
posted by By The Grace of God at 1:57 PM on April 12, 2008


I'm a bit torn. Innovations like these are smart. They are answering a demand from parents for better tools to protect their kids.

On the other side, it's stuff like this that will eventually kill such an insightful and reminiscent thread like this - 20 years from now. Really? Did any think of how inappropriate it is to brand human beings with identifying tattoos (albeit temporary)?
posted by phyrewerx at 2:06 PM on April 12, 2008


Well, I think for parents of autistic or or non verbal children, having these safety tattoos on them would make them feel more confident in bring the child out and about with them. Which would increase the child's level of social interaction, and possible make it so the tattoo is only a interim step before they become self sufficient and ride the subways themselves (well maybe not every one of them, but one could hope).

I don't see a missing puzzle piece (unless those blue puzzle pieces along the border are missing also).
posted by mrzarquon at 2:10 PM on April 12, 2008


I'm on the fence about this, but I'd like to say that this testimonial (scroll down a bit) officially horrifies me:

“Fabulous - I'm so excited! An ingenious product as I have often debated the civil liberties of implanting a micro-ID like in dogs or a gps chip- this is so much better!”

You have got to be kidding me. Who even considers that kind of craziness?
posted by bettafish at 2:24 PM on April 12, 2008 [3 favorites]


Why not use a bracelet with the info on it? Our schools use the fiber paper bracelets with the name and phone number of the school on them when elementary students are going on field trips. They are brightly colored and can be seen from a distance. The bracelets are cut off when kids return after field trip. Our schools have a ban on tattoos, the rub on kind the kids like to wear.

SafetyTat provides an immediate, highly visible form of identification that stays in place even when wet and lasts for days.

What happens if you don't want it to last for days? How do you get it off?
posted by JujuB at 2:25 PM on April 12, 2008


Oh yeah, I'm going to put a fresh "safety tattoo" on my kid every couple days. Pfff.
posted by DU at 2:29 PM on April 12, 2008


JujuB: if it's like most temporary tattoos, rubbing alcohol will do the trick. Or some scrubbing - it's probably not *that* waterproof.

But yeah, what's wrong with bracelets? Or even a full-fledged MedicAlert bracelet, if you're worried about a nut allergy or the like?
posted by spaceman_spiff at 2:30 PM on April 12, 2008


Some children, such as those with sensory processing issues, don't like bracelets.
posted by The corpse in the library at 2:33 PM on April 12, 2008 [1 favorite]


Oh yeah, I'm going to put a fresh "safety tattoo" on my kid every couple days. Pfff.

Or just when you go to Disneyland. Or a megamall. Or any large special event.

It's a good idea.
posted by Kickstart70 at 2:34 PM on April 12, 2008


Well-meant, but I don't think identifying kids is the real problem. If they've got lost by chance, things will be sorted out fairly readily, even if they're autistic/non-speaking; if they've been kidnapped, this is hardly going to help (in fact a kidnapper could slap on one as false corroboration of their parenthood/guardianship).
posted by Phanx at 2:34 PM on April 12, 2008


You have got to be kidding me. Who even considers that kind of craziness?

But but but pedophiles pedophiles pedophiles fear fear fear fear fear!

Who even considers things like this? The kind of people who watch InfoTainment and believe bit of every bit of lascivious nonsense they squirt out like so much diarrhea is some kind of widespread, ubiquitous problem. In other words, a lot of people. Oh, won't someone think of the children?!
posted by DecemberBoy at 2:35 PM on April 12, 2008 [2 favorites]


Designed by a graphics professional and Mom of three kids,

Damn her to comic sans hell.


Can't wait till the microchips get this cheap, then you'll really see some crazy shit.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:36 PM on April 12, 2008 [1 favorite]


I see the point of the tats, but I still think branding our kids like pets (with return to: __ collars) is just.... wrong.
posted by Planet F at 2:37 PM on April 12, 2008


Phanx -- I don't think it's about foiling a kidnapper. It's the equivalent of having a child learn her mom's phone number, but for non-verbal children.
posted by The corpse in the library at 2:39 PM on April 12, 2008


You have got to be kidding me. Who even considers that kind of craziness?

Hey, you asked.
posted by dhartung at 2:41 PM on April 12, 2008


Thanks spaceman-spiff, I took the time to read the full web site.

It does state it can be removed with rubbing alcohol or baby oil. The site also says not to use on sensitive skin or those with allergies to adhesives.

The bracelets are $21.00 per 500.

I'm not picking on your post ThePinkSuperhero, I'm just dumbfounded that people would buy these and have a false sense of security where their children are concerned.
posted by JujuB at 2:43 PM on April 12, 2008


"Memento Adventures," coming this fall on The Kids' WB!
posted by lore at 2:46 PM on April 12, 2008


Isn't this what sharpies are for?
posted by kuujjuarapik at 2:50 PM on April 12, 2008


We just sharpie our cell number on our kids arms when going to museums and stuff. With 3 kids, if they all decide to run in different directions, one is going to have to be triaged. Turns out even kids who are too small to be able to say their name and address are still old enough to run really fast.
posted by 445supermag at 3:04 PM on April 12, 2008 [4 favorites]


phyrewerx writes "On the other side, it's stuff like this that will eventually kill such an insightful and reminiscent thread like this - 20 years from now. Really? Did any think of how inappropriate it is to brand human beings with identifying tattoos (albeit temporary)?"

These are for a different purpose. When we took our 2.5 year old to Stampede we filled out a form and got a hang tag for her jacket. If she got separated from us anyone could lead her to one of the info centres and they could call us. This would be a lot better because kids love these things and it'd take extra effort to remove.

"Why not use a bracelet with the info on it? Our schools use the fiber paper bracelets with the name and phone number of the school on them when elementary students are going on field trips."

A lot easier to take off, some kids hate that kind of thing.

JujuB writes "Our schools have a ban on tattoos, the rub on kind the kids like to wear."

Whaa?!? Why?

Brandon Blatcher writes "Can't wait till the microchips get this cheap, then you'll really see some crazy shit."

This is better for chiop because it is human readable. At least until they start building chip readers into phones and wrist watches.
posted by Mitheral at 3:14 PM on April 12, 2008


I'm buying these for myself. I'd better label them all at once, before I forget. What was this thread about?
posted by not_on_display at 3:28 PM on April 12, 2008


I don't think silentmiaow would be so fond of the missing puzzle piece to denote autism, but a good idea nonetheless.

Maybe I'm just not getting your reference, but in case you didn't know, that's the symbol designated for Autism Awareness.
posted by [NOT HERMITOSIS-IST] at 3:28 PM on April 12, 2008


Temporary tattoos designed to be used as identification devices for children.

Temporary? I propose a permanent tattoo across the child's forehead, detailing past phone numbers, residences (each crossed out as it becomes redundant) along with school grades and (eventually) SAT scores.

This is going to make paranoia parenting so much easier.
posted by Avenger at 4:08 PM on April 12, 2008


I like this. My son loves tatoos, and this would be a fun thing to do while on a trip or at a crowded festival or park. Even though he could probably learn my cell number at his age, I doubt he'd be able to think of it while panicking. And the site makes a good point about the limitations of the Sharpie.
posted by saffry at 4:17 PM on April 12, 2008


A few thoughts:
- If only they allowed custom designs in the circular area, or covered other subject areas/disabilities. "HIV" kids with a nice "biohazard" symbol, perhaps, or the "Chemo" kid with the "radiation" symbol.
- There's nothing like quickly identifying the non-verbal & autistic kids in the crowd when you're a busy child molester on the go.
- There's only one place you can put the "NUT Allergy" sticker where it'll do any good, but the forehead's usually covered by the Thudguard.
- Is it really necessary to prominently place a copyright on my kid? It's bad enough the little tyke will be advertising my friggin' phone number to everyone in the area, without also advertising someone else's product at the same time.
posted by FormlessOne at 4:21 PM on April 12, 2008 [3 favorites]


From the site: As seen on CNN Headline News Nancy Grace.

Well, gosh, if someone as thoughtful and level-headed as Nancy Grace says it's a good idea...

(FWIW, I do think this is a good idea. I just don't believe an association with a scaremongering harpy like Nancy Grace helps anything.)
posted by Sys Rq at 4:22 PM on April 12, 2008 [1 favorite]


But but but pedophiles pedophiles pedophiles fear fear fear fear fear! ... The kind of people who watch InfoTainment and believe bit of every bit of lascivious nonsense they squirt out like so much diarrhea is some kind of widespread, ubiquitous problem.

Erm, no. It's not marketed as a PedoShield or KidnapShield. It's for when the kid gets separated from their parents/group on outings. For some kids, wandering off and getting lost is a frequent occurrence and it's a big problem if they're nonverbal. It's also more ubiquitous than OMGPEDO kidnappings; "Child Lost For Thirty Minutes At Beach" doesn't make headlines.
posted by CKmtl at 5:11 PM on April 12, 2008


Oh. My Bad. Scrolled by the comment you were replying to.
posted by CKmtl at 5:14 PM on April 12, 2008


From the prison-industrial complex that brought you PrisonTat™
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 5:22 PM on April 12, 2008


If I were taking my kid to Disneyland or a large zoo, and she couldn't do anything other than cry and say "Mommy" or "Daddy" if she wandered off, yeah, I'd put on of these on her arm. Looks better than a sharpie, can't be pulled off like a sticker or a bracelet. Why not?

Like CKmtl says, it's not about kidnappers or child-molesters. It's about reconnecting a kid to her parents when she doesn't even know what her parents' names are.

I see the point of the tats, but I still think branding our kids like pets (with return to: __ collars) is just.... wrong.

I can't imagine what is wrong about giving a three-year-old a temp tattoo with your phone number on it, just in case.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 5:29 PM on April 12, 2008 [1 favorite]


If the stats on the web page are accurate, she's got a good case for their usefulness:

* Over 2000 U.S. kids get lost every day.
* Less than 10% are reported to any authority.
* 90% of families will experience losing a child in a public place. 20% have lost a child more than once.
* 95% will forever remember the trauma of getting lost.
* Parents rank losing a child 5 times more concerning to them than terrorism and 3 times more concerning than abduction.
* Kids get lost most often in malls and stores (45%)
* 27% of families that visit an amusement park lose a child while they are there. That's nearly 1 in 3!
* Only 9% of parents put some form of safe ID on their children.
* 76% of parents want to know what to do to prevent a child from getting lost.

posted by Pater Aletheias at 5:32 PM on April 12, 2008


Heh. I wonder how long until adult hipsters start getting these inked for reals. I suppose it might be handy for when you've had too much to drink...
posted by Loser at 5:54 PM on April 12, 2008


I am guessing that the world's worst mom is probably not hip with this.
posted by caddis at 6:09 PM on April 12, 2008


You have got to be kidding me. Who even considers that kind of craziness?
I would have. Back when I had two autistic children at home, one who was completely nonverbal and an excellent escape artist, I would have thought they were a gift from god. And believe me, I wasn't giving god much credit for good things back in those days.
posted by tizzie at 6:17 PM on April 12, 2008


True story: I had to call 911 once to tell them that my younger son was on the run - that he was autistic, nonverbal, and naked. The 911 operator asked me, "What does he look like?" Ummm, he's running down a street, naked. Bring me all the kids that meet that description, and I'll pick the one that's mine, OK?

But just think of how much better it would have been if I could have said, "He's the one with the fancy rub-on tattoo!"
posted by tizzie at 6:21 PM on April 12, 2008 [9 favorites]


* Over 2000 U.S. kids get lost every day.
* Less than 10% are reported to any authority.


So, this is being marketed to the lucrative "200 kids a day about which someone gives a rat's rectum" market?
posted by FormlessOne at 6:41 PM on April 12, 2008


* 95% will forever remember the trauma of getting lost.

I was lost, and vaguely remember it. I don't think I have PTSD.
posted by maxwelton at 6:44 PM on April 12, 2008 [2 favorites]


Kinda creepy, but seems reasonable.
posted by owhydididoit at 6:58 PM on April 12, 2008


* 76% of parents want to know what to do to prevent a child from getting lost.


You can't prevent kids from getting lost. You can only teach them how to find their way again.
Letting them learn how to use the subway at an early age is good idea.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:03 PM on April 12, 2008


Oh no, see, RFID implanted in the spinal column or brain stem are where it's at. These tattoo things can be removed by evil molesters with just some rubbing alcohol in the public restroom. RFID's with GPS chips embedded in the spinal cord or brain stem can't be removed...SO YOU ALWAYS KNOW WHERE THEY ARE. Regular underskin implants? No way, you can hack those out with a pen knife.

Also, barcode tattoos would be way cooler than these things too.

Police officer: "Who are you kid?"
Angry kid: "Your mom"
Police officer with laser reader: *bloop*
Police officer: "Well ok then John L. Douchebaggington of 123 Paranoia Street, I'll just ask your mom what she has to say about that.
posted by TomMelee at 7:09 PM on April 12, 2008


My husband was a frequent runaway when he was a little kid. Once, when he was three, he was picked up by the police and brought down to the station. His mom had already called the police to report that he was missing, so they knew who he was.

When she came in to the station to pick him up, the police asked if she was his mom.

"Nope," he said. He knew he'd be in trouble -- and the police station was pretty cool -- why admit to knowing who the angry lady was?

(I wonder how long until my mother-in-law gets us a case of these stickers for our kids.)
posted by The corpse in the library at 7:49 PM on April 12, 2008 [2 favorites]


PERMANENT MARKER TWO BUCKS WHEN THE TRAILER MOVES WE CAN CHANGE 'ER UP.
posted by jimmythefish at 8:10 PM on April 12, 2008 [1 favorite]


You could make your own temporary tattoos with inkjet tattoo paper. For our kids, we got surgical markup pens to write on them.
posted by jaimev at 8:17 PM on April 12, 2008


Where's the "POOR IMPULSE CONTROL" one? (Apply directly to the forehead!)
posted by Crabby Appleton at 8:45 PM on April 12, 2008 [2 favorites]


SafetyTat—it’s the perfect way to show how much you care,

Silly me. Here I was thinking the best way to show I care was by watching my kid.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 10:42 PM on April 12, 2008


Leash? Check.
Deceptive monkey-shaped harness? Check.
All-terrain 4WD pneumatic stroller? Check.
Tattoo on forehead? Check.
Let's drive to the park!
posted by redteam at 1:03 PM on April 13, 2008 [2 favorites]


Parents rank losing a child 5 times more concerning to them than terrorism and 3 times more concerning than abduction.

Well, there's "losing a child" in the mall, and there's "losing a child" to cancer.

This product can "prevent" neither. It can make identifying an already-lost child and notifying the parents much easier, assuming the kid is non-verbal or has a bad memory for phone numbers. It could be very useful.

Product: Smart.
Marketing: Stupid.
posted by Sys Rq at 4:37 PM on April 13, 2008


> John L. Douchebaggington of 123 Paranoia Street

Hey! His name is my name, too!
Whenever we go out, the people always shout, "There goes John L. Douchebaggington!"
la, la, la, la la la lah...
posted by not_on_display at 6:01 AM on April 15, 2008


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