Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for protecting a child who may become lost is disclosed, comprising the steps of (a) providing an encoded identification device, comprising: a substrate having a surface, and visual coded information disposed upon said surface, wherein said visual coded information encodes a communication address and a unique serial number; (b) entering said unique serial number into a database; (c) entering contact information of said child's parent into said database, said contact information being linked to said unique serial number in said database; (d) decoding said visual coded information to obtain said communication address and said unique serial number; (e) contacting said communication address and transmitting said unique serial number to said communication address; (f) locating said unique serial number within said database; (g) locating said parent contact information in said database that is linked to said unique serial number; and (h) contacting said parent using said parent contact i