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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to track ds16 location

111 replies

NimbleMintOrca · 09/01/2026 22:27

I want to install a location tracker on DS16 phone for his safety. He travels to school by train and goes out with friends. DS16 is refusing to be tracked and is saying it's an invasion of privacy. AIBU to make him install an app that lets me see his location? I don't see how this would invade his privacy unless he's up to something dodgy in which case I should know about that.

OP posts:
Jeschara · 09/01/2026 22:36

Oh please, I agree with him. It's an invasion of privacy. I suspect if you do this he will resent you. I know I would.
I find what you are doing to a 16 year old interfering. Think about him and his wishes, it's not about you.

Kibble19 · 09/01/2026 22:36

It’s a hard one. Some people track their whole family for practical reasons like getting dinner on, arranging collection from a train station etc.

Equally, if someone doesn’t want tracked (above a certain age) then that should be respected. As someone said, it only tracks the device; you’d need an AirTag in his shoe or something to ensure you were tracking him.

ultracynic · 09/01/2026 22:36

If he feels that strongly about it then no I wouldn’t. I do have my kids on FindMyPhone - their phones are an add-on to my account so they’re there automatically. They know and aren’t bothered. Do I use it? Yes occasionally, especially the one who’s newly driving and shit at keeping in touch! At some point they’ll get their own contract and disable it I guess.

Pearlstillsinging · 09/01/2026 22:35

BlueMum16 · 09/01/2026 22:31

Work colleague argues he's tracking the phone he pays for and not the child.

Me and DD have Life 360. She loves to see where I am and I can see when she's almost home for tea.

Exactly! The person who pays the phone bill dictates the conditions under which it is used.

momahoho1 · 09/01/2026 22:34

I agree with your son, I’m not comfortable with tracking unless there’s specific vulnerability. I don’t think it’s healthy for parents either

cadburyegg · 09/01/2026 22:34

Having a tracker on his phone won’t keep him safe

Thelondonone · 09/01/2026 22:33

I track everyone, including my dad so I can check he’s alive. I pay for my kids phones. I rarely check where they are but was useful at reading.

Miranda65 · 09/01/2026 22:33

Of course you're unreasonable. It does nothing to keep him safe - it just tells you where his phone is.

And of course it invades his privacy - you do not need to know where he is every minute of the day.
This is about managing your own anxiety, so perhaps you need some help with that.

daffodilandtulip · 09/01/2026 22:32

When DS15 went missing, the first thing the police asked was if I had his location on our phones...

TheNightingalesStarling · 09/01/2026 22:32

He's your child but he's not a child. You need to let go a bit. Especially for school.

If there's a particular activity that is more worrying maybe in a case by case basis you both agree on.

BlueMum16 · 09/01/2026 22:31

Work colleague argues he's tracking the phone he pays for and not the child.

Me and DD have Life 360. She loves to see where I am and I can see when she's almost home for tea.