Tracking

Tracking apps can feel like a simple way to keep children safe, but constant monitoring often comes with hidden costs.

Children who feel watched rather than trusted may become secretive or resentful, and those patterns can carry into their future relationships, shaping how they understand privacy, trust, and love. Many parents are now questioning whether connection, communication, and clear boundaries offer more protection than surveillance ever could.

Important things to consider

Erodes trust and independence: When children know every move they make is being watched, they can start to feel controlled rather than protected. It sends a message that you don’t trust them, even when they’re behaving responsibly. Over time, that can push them to hide things instead of share them.

Increases anxiety for both parent and child: Many parents report feeling more anxious, not less, after installing tracking apps. Every small delay or change in location can trigger worry. For children, knowing they’re being constantly monitored can make them feel anxious, guilty, or rebellious.

Delays emotional growth: Children need opportunities to make small mistakes, solve problems, and build judgment. If they’re never out of sight, they may struggle to develop confidence, decision-making, and self-control.

Creates secrecy and resentment: Teens in particular often find ways around tracking — using other phones, turning off GPS, or creating “dummy” accounts. When that happens, both sides end up feeling deceived and angry, and communication breaks down.

Future relationships: Online tracking could warp and normalise your child's future relationship, kids might grow up thinking constant surveillance is just what love looks like.

Ideas from parents

Build trust before technology: Talk about safety and boundaries openly. Let your child know that your goal is to protect, not spy.
If you want to track: Use location sharing selectively: For example, only during specific outings or agreed times, not 24/7.
Keep conversations two-way: Ask how they feel about being tracked. Involving them in the decision makes it a partnership, not a punishment.
Focus on connection, not control: A child who feels heard and trusted is far more likely to tell you where they are and what’s really going on.
Get a walking group together for school walks. It starts to build independence and responsibility, my children have done this since year 5. I told them what to do in an emergency and if anything should happen stop a parent and ask to use their phone or make your way to school and call me there. The first time was hard but it's completely normal now.

Click here for further advice from Smartphone Free Childhood

"As parents, many of us use tracking apps believing we’re keeping our children safe. But have we really thought about the downsides? Does tracking give us a false sense of security for us and for them? Knowing where our child is doesn’t always mean knowing if they’re safe. In most cases, we’d only find out after something happens. Are we unintentionally replacing life skills with apps? Do our children know what to do if their phone is lost, stolen, or dead? Do they know how to get home, ask for help, or handle danger without us watching a map? We also need to consider the messages we send: If we normalise being tracked, are we teaching our children that love equals surveillance? Could that later make it easier for a partner, bully, or ex-friend to misuse tracking tools? Technology can help, but it mustn’t replace teaching independence and trust." Mum of 9 year old girl "When my son started walking home from school on his own, I felt that familiar pull the urge to track him. Most of his friends’ parents had tracking apps, and I wondered if I was being careless by not having one. But I went through every scenario where a tracking app could help him but it doesn't keep him safe. I think it gives them a sense of security that just isn't there. So I decided to trust him instead. We talked about safety, routes, and what to do if something went wrong how to call me, ask for help, or go to a safe place. The first week, I watched the clock like a hawk. I’ll admit, it was nerve-wracking and i did actually follow behind shamelessly for the first time out of sight! But every day, he came through the door proud of himself, more confident, more capable. He started noticing things: “Mum, I found a quicker way,” or “There’s a crossing guard on the other road.” That’s when I realised something: by not tracking him, I was teaching him to navigate life. It’s okay not to know every move your child makes. It’s okay to trust the lessons you’ve given them. Safety isn’t just about knowing where they are it’s about knowing they can handle where they are." Dad of 11 year old boy “I used to check my son’s location every hour. It gave me a sense of control until I realised I was just feeding my own anxiety. He started lying about where he was, not because he was doing anything wrong, but because he hated being watched. We agreed on new rules: he shares his plans, checks in if they change, and I trust him to do that. Our relationship is better, and I’m calmer too.” Mum of a 15 year old girl