Location-sharing apps such as Life360 and Find My have made it easier than ever for parents to keep tabs on their children’s whereabouts. But just how common is digital tracking? Research suggests that around half of parents of teenagers are already using these tools.
A 2023 study published in the Journal of Family Psychology examined 729 adolescents, whose average age was 15, and their parents. Approximately 51% of parents said they monitored their teenager’s location, while 50% of adolescents reported being tracked.
Tracking also extends to younger children. The researchers cited previous U.S. survey findings showing that about one-third of parents of children ages 5 to 11 used digital software to monitor their child’s location. The numbers suggest that location tracking has become a significant part of modern parenting, particularly as children gain independence.
How to Talk to Kids About Location Tracking
Before switching on a location tracker, parents should explain why they want to use it and give children an opportunity to share their feelings. Being upfront can help prevent a safety measure from feeling like secret surveillance.
Child psychologist Rupa Robbins recommends making the conversation about independence as well as protection. “Just because we can track our kids doesn’t mean that we don’t need to teach them the same, or more, life skills for being out in the world,” she told Parents.
Families can agree on when tracking will be used, who can see the information and when the arrangement should be reviewed. Therapist David Simonsen also describes how location sharing helped one family find a teenager who had missed curfew, creating an opportunity to discuss communication rather than simply punish the child.
Should Parents Track Their Kids in the First Place?
There is no universal answer: a tracker can offer reassurance, particularly when a child is travelling independently, but it should not replace communication or responsible supervision. Parents should consider their child’s age, maturity, safety needs and comfort with sharing their location.
Research has not established that tracking automatically improves children’s well-being. The 2023 study found some associations with behavioural concerns, but the results were inconsistent and the researchers emphasized that further research is needed.
Ultimately, tracking works best when it is transparent, proportionate and part of a trusting relationship. Parents weighing the benefits and drawbacks should consider whether monitoring is genuinely necessary—or whether regular check-ins and open conversations would provide enough reassurance.
