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Original poster

To ask you to share which “tracking” app you use with your teens

220 replies

toetheline20 · 26/08/2020 11:32

If ppl can let me know which they prefer that would be great thanks. Son starting Y7 next week and he’s as ditsy as they come!

OP posts:
tangycalligrapher · 26/08/2020 13:35

@formerbabe

I don't use it because I think my ds is lying to me. I use it because any number of things can occur that he might forget to tell me or because he might need picking up or he might lose his phone
If he forgot to tell you something or needs collecting then he can text you and tell you where he is, the What Three Words app is great for that, if you tell me you are at rush.hook.supper then I can tell immediately you are at/near a terraced house which is 2nd along from the junction with Bonnington Road and Bonnington Road Lane and get directions from wherever I happen to be.
BiBabbles · 26/08/2020 13:36

I use the Google Family Link app to limit (for the 13 year old) or to have the data to better discuss (for the 15 year old) screen use, but I've never turned on the location feature. I've previously used Screentime, but kept having issues with it.

My DD (13) thought until recently it had a tracker. She found it surprising when I corrected her and showed the locator function wasn't and had never been on. It's really normalized for them, which I have mixed feelings about.

Fuzzywuzzyface · 26/08/2020 13:39

I use find my friends for DS13 - it is the condition of him being able to go out for hours with his friends roaming on his bike. So far he hasn't complained and I only check sporadically as he has consistently been where he has said he is, so trust has built up.

janinlondon · 26/08/2020 13:42

canigooutyet - That is truly horrendous and I am so sorry for the ordeal you were forced the endure.

Out of interest, for parents of children under 16, if your child disappeared at age 16 for several days, where would you turn?

ItWasntMyFault · 26/08/2020 13:42

@LEELULUMPKIN

I use a great one called "trust & independence"
Me too!
Angelina82 · 26/08/2020 13:48

It's not in the least bit sinister...don't be so ridiculous. Do people really let their 12 year olds leave the house and have no idea where they're going?

No there’s this thing called communication and trust ie child tells you where they’re going and what time they will be home. You trust them to do what they have said. It’s not difficult.

Angelina82 · 26/08/2020 13:52

It's ott if you're 18...it's not if you're 11 and walking home for the first time ever

Maybe the first time is fair enough (though I think walking with/behind them would be better) but not every time they go out as the person I was responding to stated.

ZoeTurtle · 26/08/2020 13:54

Have you thought about a microchip? Some vets have very reasonable rates.

TheUnwindingCableCar · 26/08/2020 13:54

This is all a bit weird.

toastmeahotcrossbun · 26/08/2020 13:56

Why do you want to track them? When do you envisage it'll stop.

If he gets lost he can ring you.

DollyDoneMore · 26/08/2020 13:57

Arkangel.

Dominicgoings · 26/08/2020 13:59

Communication, Boundaries, Trust, Responsibility, Independence and Consequences are all free to download 😉

formerbabe · 26/08/2020 14:00

I think people are being very ott about this. I'm not manically watching my child's every movement but if I'm out the house and he walking home from school and will have to let himself into the house by himself, its quite helpful for me to log onto the app and see that he's reached home. Or if he's going to football practice, ties useful for me to see when he's left the field so I have a rough idea of when he will be home.

AveEldon · 26/08/2020 14:00

Friends use 360
I don't bother

Kez0777 · 26/08/2020 14:01

I have down loaded life 360 for my almost 11 year old to start walking to and from school. I'm worried about her and it will pop up on my watch when she has arrived at or left school meaning I can keep working without stressing. On the very few occasions she's been left at home for a short amount of time she can see where I am and when I'm nearly home.
I won't use it always but think it will be great for reassurance on those early days of increasing independence

TheUnwindingCableCar · 26/08/2020 14:01

Can he not just message you to let you know?

HexagonsHecateAndHecuba · 26/08/2020 14:01

@formerbabe

I don't get the outrage over this. As a parent if I want to know where my 12 year old is, then that is perfectly sensible and acceptable
So why not talk to your child instead? Build up a relationship of mutual trust? That approach is more likely to pay dividends in the long run as opposed to micro-managing and invading your child/teenager/you g adults privacy.
formerbabe · 26/08/2020 14:02

If he gets lost he can ring you

Yes and attempt to describe where he is...if he gets lost, he can ring me, ill check where he is on the app and go get him.

Dominicgoings · 26/08/2020 14:02

@formerbabe

I think people are being very ott about this. I'm not manically watching my child's every movement but if I'm out the house and he walking home from school and will have to let himself into the house by himself, its quite helpful for me to log onto the app and see that he's reached home. Or if he's going to football practice, ties useful for me to see when he's left the field so I have a rough idea of when he will be home.
People are being OTT but it’s not necessarily the ones you seem to think 😉
PickwickThePlockingDodo · 26/08/2020 14:04

@formerbabe

I don't get the outrage over this. As a parent if I want to know where my 12 year old is, then that is perfectly sensible and acceptable
It's not acceptable, it's creepy and smothering.
formerbabe · 26/08/2020 14:04

So why not talk to your child instead? Build up a relationship of mutual trust? That approach is more likely to pay dividends in the long run as opposed to micro-managing and invading your child/teenager/you g adults privacy

Huge difference between a child and a young adult. They cannot be treated the same when it comes to independence and privacy.

janetmendoza · 26/08/2020 14:05

Life 360 for DH and me. DS wont use it but most families I know even when they are all adults use one. I use it all the time for DH to find out if hes stuck with a patient, on his way home etc. Plus for whenever we have lost our phones, which is often.

formerbabe · 26/08/2020 14:07

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

TheUnwindingCableCar · 26/08/2020 14:07

If your child isn't independent enough to be out on their own without having a tracking app on their phone then I would say they're not ready to be allowed out without their parents.

Sickofbroccoli · 26/08/2020 14:07

We use nothing with DSD. Often on school trips or similar she will willingly share her location with us (via WhatsApp tends to be the easiest way as we have a mix of android and Apple) so we have an up to date ETA on when she’ll be back rather than have to keep asking her (bothering her!) but constant tracking doesn’t sit quite right. She’s never got lost enough she’s had to call us yet, but the “on demand” sharing would work for that too.

We could access find my phone for her phone in an emergency, but the only time we ever have so far is when she lost the phone and asked us to look.