Privacy concerns prompt Missouri district to remove physical activity monitors

From The St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Because of privacy concerns, the Parkway (Mo.) School District is taking away activity monitors given to elementary pupils for physical education classes. The 75 Polar Active devices, which are worn on the wrist and cost $90 each, were distributed last year to third-, fourth- and fifth-grade pupils at Henry, Ross and Shenandoah Valley elementary schools. The pupils were using them to measure the quality and duration of their exertion during physical education classes and then comparing those measurements with the U.S. Surgeon General's recommendations for activity. Controversy emerged on when online reports contended that the monitors could be used to track disease risks and depression.