Back in the day, our parents' version of GPS tracking was "be home when the streetlights come on." Today, we have the ability to see exactly how many blocks away our kid is, how fast the car they're in is moving, and even what their phone battery percentage is. It’s a "digital umbilical cord" that’s incredibly hard to cut.

For parents, these apps are a godsend for peace of mind. For kids, especially as they hit middle school and start caring about "vibes" and autonomy, it can feel like living in a panopticon. If you’ve ever had a 13-year-old tell you that your tracking is "mid" or "giving Ohio," you know the struggle. They want freedom; we want to make sure they aren't in a ditch. Navigating this requires more than just installing an app; it requires a literal roadmap for privacy and trust.

Not all tracking apps are created equal. Some are basic "where are you?" tools, while others are full-blown surveillance suites.

This is the heavy hitter. It’s the app kids love to hate (there are literally thousands of TikToks about how to "ghost" Life360). It offers "Circles" for different groups, driving safety reports, and "Bubbles" which allow a kid to show a general area rather than a specific GPS pin. The No-BS Take: It’s the best for data and safety, but it can be a massive battery drain and can feel very invasive if you're checking it every five minutes. Use the "Bubbles" feature for older teens to give them some breathing room.

If everyone in your house has an iPhone, this is the "set it and forget it" option. It’s built into the OS, it’s free, and it doesn't have the "helicopter parent" branding that Life360 does. The No-BS Take: It’s great for basic "did they make it to practice?" checks, but it lacks the driving alerts and location history that some parents want. It’s the "chill" tracking choice.

This is the go-to for Android families. It combines location tracking with screen time management. The No-BS Take: It’s functional but the UI can feel a bit clunky. It’s more of a "management" tool than a "safety" tool, but it gets the job done for younger kids.

Bark is less about "where are they?" and more about "what are they doing?" though it does include location tracking. The No-BS Take: Bark is for the parent who wants to be alerted to specific dangers (like bullying or self-harm) rather than just watching a dot move on a map. If you're using Bark solely for GPS, you're overpaying and over-monitoring.

Learn more about the differences between Bark and Life360

To a kid, constant tracking is the ultimate "low aura" move from a parent. It signals a lack of trust. When a kid feels like they’re being watched 24/7, they don't learn how to be responsible; they learn how to be sneaky.

This is where "Ghosting" comes in. Kids are savvy. They’ll leave their phone at a friend's house while they go somewhere else, use "Mock GPS" apps, or just "accidentally" let their phone die. If your tracking is too tight, you aren't actually keeping them safer; you're just forcing them to innovate new ways to bypass you.

The way you track a 9-year-old with their first Gabb Phone should be vastly different from how you track a 17-year-old with a driver's license.

At this age, tracking is purely about physical safety and logistics. "Did the bus drop them off?" "Are they still at the park?" Kids at this age usually don't mind being tracked; in fact, it can make them feel safe. The Rule: Keep it on, but don't make it a "thing." Use it to avoid being the parent who is 20 minutes late to pickup.

This is the "Skibidi Toilet" era of transition. They want independence but still have the decision-making skills of a squirrel in traffic. The Rule: Discuss the "Why." Tell them: "I’m not watching to see if you’re at the mall; I’m watching to make sure you got there safely." This is a good time to introduce "check-ins" where they text you when they arrive, so you don't have to check the app.

This is the final frontier. If you are still "pinging" your 17-year-old every time they go to Starbucks, you are headed for a rough transition when they leave for college. The Rule: Shift to "Emergency Use Only." Agree that you won't check the app unless they miss a curfew or don't answer a text. This builds the trust they need to actually tell you the truth when things go sideways.

Check out our guide on transitioning tech boundaries for high schoolers

There is a fine line between safety and surveillance.

If you want your kids to keep the tracking app on, you have to make it a mutual agreement, not a mandate from on high.

GPS tracking is a tool, not a parenting style. If you use it to replace actual conversation and trust, it will backfire. Use it as a safety net that stays in the background until it’s actually needed. The goal of parenting isn't to know where your child is every second of their life; it's to raise a child who knows where they are going and has the tools to get there safely.

Learn more about raising digitally responsible teens Ask our chatbot for a family media contract template