Skechers has unveiled a new line of children’s sneakers featuring a discreet compartment designed to hold an Apple AirTag. Located within the heel, the hidden slot allows parents to insert the tracking device to monitor their child’s whereabouts via the Find My app. While the shoes don’t include an AirTag or involve a direct partnership with Apple, they tap into a growing trend of third-party products repurposing the technology for safety-focused use cases.
The design includes a removable insole that reveals the tracker slot, enabling caregivers to maintain oversight without altering the shoe’s exterior. This innovation arrives as parents increasingly leverage AirTags—marketed for locating objects like wallets or luggage—to track children. Similar adaptations, such as bracelets, shoe inserts, and accessories, have emerged to integrate the technology into daily wear.
However, AirTags rely on Bluetooth signals from nearby Apple devices rather than GPS, which limits real-time precision for tracking moving subjects. This has raised concerns about potential misuse, given reports of AirTags being employed for unauthorized surveillance. Apple has implemented safeguards, such as alerts for unknown trackers detected near a user’s device, though debates about privacy and ethical tracking persist.
Skechers’ current release targets children’s footwear, reducing risks of non-consensual adult tracking. Yet experts warn that normalizing location-tracking wearables could pave the way for expanded use cases, such as monitoring individuals with dementia or cognitive impairments. While intended to enhance safety, such applications also spark questions about consent and the balance between protection and privacy.
