Son being cagey about where he is

[fruitstick]

DS is 13. He's often out with his mates around the village and sometimes he goes further afield (swimming etc).

Just lately he's started being a bit more cagey about where is or where he is going. I think he's meeting a girl.

I have no problem at all with this, and don't really want to be annoying. But I also want to know where he is and who he is with. If it is a girl that's fine.

I've checked where he says he is on Find My Phone and it's not quite where he says he is.

He's a very sensible child and I don't think there's anything dodgy going on at all but then I read all sorts of scare stories about grooming etc.

I don't want to check his messages etc. but at the same time want to keep him safe. WWYD?

Sounds like standard boundary pushing by a young teenager tbh

As long as you are maintaining a safe, open relationship where he feels he can talk to you about anything without retribution, I think this is just the world of having a teenager

If he's a largely sensible person then it is pretty natural to have feelings of embarrassment when starting to explore relationships which he may struggle to speak to you about openly

If he wants trust and freedom he has to tell you where he is and has be honest about it. 13 isn't old enough to make sensible decisions.
My teens and I have Life360 on our phones, as much for them to see where I am for lifts home etc as for me to make sure they are safe. (Eldest is 16yo, so has theirs switched off unless they want me).

Find my iPhone isn't always correct.
It had my daughter in the middle of the sea when she wasn't and has had her teleporting as she apparently traveled about 2 km in seconds.

i mean you could just talk to him about it without him feeling attacked like you could just let him know it's fine if he's meeting a girl then if that is it he'll just tell you instead of being secretive

Find my iPhone can be off, it says I'm in the middle of the Bristol Channel currently!

I'm going to wait for a car journey I think.