Tracking apps for children are growing in popularity, with 32 million users worldwide on Life360 alone. Parents like Elaine Spector, a patent attorney from Baltimore, use the app to monitor their children's whereabouts, receiving alerts when they arrive at school or home. While Spector admits the idea of her 18-year-old son removing the app 'makes me feel stressed', she says it helps her avoid pestering him.
Experts advise parents to think carefully about how they use such apps and discuss them with their children. Ghislaine Bombusa, head of digital at UK-based Internet Matters, says there are two main types: simple location-sharing apps like Find My Friends, and more invasive third-party apps that can remotely activate microphones or scan messages for 'concerning interactions'.
Apps like Life360 offer features such as geofencing, speed monitoring, and crash detection. More extreme options include FindMyKids, which allows remote audio recording, and TeenSafe, which boasts a 'stealth mode' so children never know they are being tracked. Beyond location, apps can manage screen time, online spending, and gaming console usage.
A 2019 UK survey found 40% of parents used GPS tracking daily. The market is booming, with Life360 valued at over $1bn. However, concerns about personal security and the long-term impact on family relationships remain. As children raised with tracking reach adulthood, parents face the quandary of when to stop monitoring.
