Should Parents Track their Children?

 by Wilf Brown

Recently, there has been a rise in the amount of phone apps that involve tracking, especially for adults wanting/needing to know the location of their child. Some apps even go as far as tracking a young person’s messages, phone calls and social media activity. A study in 2019 showed that 40% of parents and guardians in the UK were using some kind of tracking app every day. Life360 is a prime example of how much tracking has grown, as it has over 32 million users, and is one of the most downloaded apps in the UK and the US. For some children, the use of these apps can feel like a massive invasion of their privacy. Which leaves an obvious question: should parents be allowed to track their children?

Tracking apps give parents and guardians the ability to know the exact location of their children. Not only does this mean they can know where they are at all times, but it also means they can set alerts to know when their child has left a certain place, like school, and how long it will take them to get home. This can give parents peace of mind without being overbearing, and can be extremely useful if a child is running late, as parents or guardians will not be worried or stressed when they can see the location of and the cause of delay to their child. Finally, tracking apps can give young people a sense of independence, because there may be a chance that their parents would rather they were not out alone at all. Being able to locate their child at all times means parents may be happier to take the risk of allowing their child out alone or with friends and potentially later at night. 

However, tracking apps can take away a big part of your childhood - that sense of freedom you might feel when you go out without a parent or guardian. If young people know that their grown-ups are “watching them” they won’t have the same thrill or sense of freedom. Children may also feel that apps invade their privacy and that they can't go anywhere without their parents or guardians (virtually) following them. Young people may also become worried that this is only the beginning of grown-ups monitoring their activities. Parents may also become dependent on tracking apps and not learn to trust their children, even if they have become young adults. Children require true freedom to learn independence and responsibility. Sometimes, children need to make mistakes and solve them without their parents jumping in and resolving the issue for them (for example a missed train connection or bus stop).  

The arguments on both sides inevitably come down to parents v children. The majority of parents and guardians will probably say they want to have tracking apps, but the majority of children would probably have other ideas. Personally, I find it quite reassuring knowing that I don't have to contact my parents to let them know I have arrived at school each day but equally I don't always want them to know exactly what I am doing at all times of the day when I am out on my own or with friends.  What do you think? Do you think tracking can be a good thing or do you view it as an invasion of privacy and freedom?