..google latitude or google trouble?

After spending time researching and learning about google latitude I have come to understand both its usefulness and its pitfalls. Google latitude was created by Google. With Google latitude you are given the ability to see where your friends are and what they are up to, contact them quickly by sending a text message, instant message or a phone call and you can control your settings and who gets to see them. Users have the ability to enjoy google latitude on your computer or on your phone. With Google latitude, it is easy to invite your friends. You can use your google account to sign in and easily invite your friends from your existing contact list or you can simply enter their email address. Google talk is integrated with latitude, which enables you and your friends to update your status and profile photos. It allows you to do this all on the go, and simply keep track and see what everyone is up to. For privacy reasons, google latitude can be turned off by the user or their location can be manually entered. This can ensure that users feel a sense of safety when using it.
While learning about Google latitude, I could not help but think how much trouble a device like this could cause. A device like this could be used wrongfully, such as in uneccessary means by another person for per say, stalking purposes? I'm friends with a couple who both have Google Latitude on their phones. After spending days with either of them I have seen how the continuously obsess over where the other one is. If one of them even does not answer their phone the first thing they do is turn to Google latitude to see where he or she is. I think this application is not healthy in those situations and in relationships.
On the other hand, if Google latitude was introduced in classrooms I think that teachers and students could both really benefit. Lets say a class was going on a field trip, the teacher could know where his or her students were at all times. It would be impossible to lose a student. Not that the teacher should not be responsible, but I think that this application would really be useful if needed in situations where a child or group of children wandered off. Although I think that this application would be very useful, it is controversial because parents may not approve of it, it may be costly, and also not all students have cell phones.
If I can visually be introduced to its positive qualities, perhaps I will become convinced.