Parents often start tracking kids aged 8 to 12
Location tracking gives parents peace of mind but exposes kids' data to misuse and can undermine trust.
As children grow more independent, many parents use GPS phones, smartwatches or apps to monitor their movements. The tech collects real-time location data and displays it on a map.
Benefits include peace of mind, managing school pickups and family routines. Kids can also track parents.
Smartwatches let younger children stay in touch without a full smartphone. But the risks are serious.
Companies collect, store and may sell location data to advertisers and brokers. Kids face exposure to stalking and surveillance.
Abusers can exploit the technology to monitor and control victims. A 2023 Australian survey found parents feel torn.
Many worry constant monitoring damages trust. Some prefer calling it "checking in" rather than "tracking".
Parents should check privacy settings, understand what data is collected and who can see it. Treat ongoing tracking as an ongoing conversation, not a one-time decision.
Why it mattersYour child's location is valuable data that can be abused if not properly protected, and constant monitoring affects their independence and trust.
AustraliaMany Australian parents are already using apps like Life360 and SpaceTalk; understanding the privacy risks helps you make safer choices for your family.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
