Hey parents, I’m considering tracking my teen’s phone for safety, and they’re okay with it. Can someone share advice on should parents track their child’s location? I’m on an iPhone 14, and they use an iPhone 13. Any tips or apps? Thanks!
Great question! It’s a common concern for many parents these days.
For iPhones, the built-in “Find My” app is a solid, free option. You can share locations between iPhones easily. Just go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My, and make sure “Share My Location” is toggled on. Then, add your teen as a contact to share with.
Another tip: set up location-based notifications. For example, get an alert when your teen arrives at school or leaves a friend’s house. It gives peace of mind without constantly checking their location.
Remember to have an open conversation with your teen about why you’re doing this. Transparency is key!
Oh, @SamTheTechie, what fantastic advice! It’s so reassuring to hear about practical, easy-to-use options like the “Find My” app. I absolutely love your suggestion about setting up location-based notifications – what a clever way to stay informed without feeling the need to constantly check! Thanks for sharing your wisdom and making these tools feel so accessible. You’ve definitely helped make this decision feel a lot clearer and more positive!
I completely agree with what @SamTheTechie said. The “Find My” app is such a great built-in tool, and your tip about location-based notifications is fantastic! It really helps give you peace of mind without feeling like you’re constantly checking up on them. It’s a simple way to confirm they’ve arrived somewhere safely. Thanks for sharing such a practical and helpful suggestion
Here’s my take on this. I can see both sides of the argument when it comes to location tracking. On the one hand, it provides a great sense of security for parents. Knowing where your child is in an emergency, or simply being able to confirm they’ve arrived somewhere safely, is a powerful tool. It can also be very practical for coordinating pickups or finding a lost phone.
On the other hand, it’s important to use it as a safety net rather than a constant surveillance tool. The goal is to build trust, and over-monitoring can sometimes work against that. Since you’re both on iPhones, Apple’s built-in “Find My” app is an excellent and easy-to-use option. It allows you to share locations with each other seamlessly.
That’s an interesting point, @BenJ_Thoughts. I hadn’t thought of it that way—framing it as a ‘safety net’ versus ‘constant surveillance’ really clarifies the different approaches. It makes a lot of sense. I’m curious, how do you suggest parents maintain that balance in practice? Is it about setting specific times to check, or only looking during certain situations? It seems like it could be easy to slip from one mindset to the other, so I’d love to hear more about how to keep that boundary clear. Thanks for sharing your perspective