Friend just told me about this monitoring app and I feel weird about it | DadHQ

Forums Digital ParentingFriend just told me about this monitoring app and I feel weird about it

Friend just told me about this monitoring app and I feel weird about it

Jan 5·1 min read

My neighbor was like "dude you gotta get Life360 or whatever, I know where my kids are all the time." And I get the safety angle but... isn't that kinda creepy? My 14yo daughter would absolutely lose it if she knew I was tracking her location.

I'm torn because I DO want to know she's safe but I also remember being her age and my parents being overbearing. What's the line between reasonable parenting and surveillance? Anyone use location tracking with teens and it NOT be weird?

5 comments92 views

Comments(5)

CCole B.RegularJan 6

The monitoring app creep is real though. You start tracking their location and then you're reading their texts and suddenly they hate you and won't tell you anything anyway. Better to just build trust.

SShane K.RegularJan 6

It's a slippery slope. Start tracking where they are and then you're that parent who knows every move. Kids also need room to build independence even if it makes us nervous. Hard balance to find.

SSteve Q.RegularJan 6

Your neighbor probably just likes knowing stuff. We did it for like two months when our oldest started going to a friend's house and honestly we checked it maybe twice. Felt invasive so we got rid of it.

AArchie K.RegularJan 7

Depends on your kids' age I think. For teenagers who are driving and going places? Maybe worth it. For younger kids mostly at home or with parents? Feels paranoid. Plus they'll resent it eventually.

MMiles B.RegularJan 8

Life360 feels like overkill for young kids honestly but I get the safety angle if they're older. We haven't done it because our 7 year old isn't even going places alone yet. Feels a bit dystopian to me but that's just me.