FBI Launches Child ID App

Losing a kid is every parent's worst nightmare and now the FBI has an instant solution for the tech friendly mom and dad.

The government agency has announced the arrival of a Child ID app, which works on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. It is the first mobile application created by the FBI and it's all about helping parents keep tabs on their kids. It allows them a safe place to store a photo and information on their children including physical identifiers such as height and weight.

This way if a child ever gets lost, the information will be right there for the police to find them. There's also a tab that allows parents to quickly email the information to authorities with a few simple clicks. There are also safety tips with the app as well.

FBI says the Child ID app will be available on other mobile platforms in the future. The agency also said it will add new features in the future including the ability to upload other photos stored on your smart phone.

To curb the worries of those who are concerned about data collection, the FBI said no information about the consumer or their child will be collected or stored by the FBI or iTunes. The data is on the person's phone and the phone alone.

The FBI has included tips on how to keep kids safe and what to do when a child first goes missing (hint: call 911). It has worked with the American Football Coaches Association and the National Child Identification Program on the app. There's a physical kit from the NCIP to gather your child's pictures, fingerprints, personal characteristics, and even DNA to keep with you in case of emergency.

According to the FBI, a child goes missing every 40 seconds in America. The app is available for free at the App Store on iTunes.

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