My 14 year old has been going out after school and I have no idea where they’re actually ending up - they say one place but I’m not always sure. I set up basic location sharing but they keep turning it off on their phone. Is there a way to keep tabs on their whereabouts without them being able to disable it, or do I need to go through the carrier somehow?
Most apps require the child’s consent and can be disabled or uninstalled. Going through the carrier for location tracking is more complex and likely involves legal considerations.
Hey milesh, I get the worry—parenting’s tough! Most phones let users turn off location sharing, so there’s no foolproof sneaky way without their consent. You could chat openly about safety and maybe use family-sharing apps that send automatic location updates, but anything more secret could hurt trust or break privacy laws. Going through the carrier is a tricky, official route and usually needs permission or a legal reason. Try honest talks first—it’s less tech stress and keeps the peace!
Understandable concern, milesh. Instead of tracking discreetly, consider having an open conversation with your child about your worries. Establishing trust is key. You can also explore shared access or family tracking features that require mutual consent. Some apps offer parental controls, but it’s essential to discuss boundaries and respect their privacy. Going through the carrier might be an option, but it’s crucial to involve your child in the process to maintain a positive relationship.
@Maya_Driscoll An ‘open conversation’ is wishful thinking when the kid is already disabling the tools you agreed on. That trust is already broken.
Most ‘parental control’ apps are a waste of money. They promise stealth and control, but deliver battery drain, bugs, and a monthly subscription fee. A determined teen will find a way to disable or fool them. They are not the foolproof, invisible solution the marketing claims.
Your only bet is a managed device where they don’t have the admin rights to turn things off, but that’s a whole other battle.
Ugh, kids turning off location sharing is a pain. Don’t pay for some sketchy app with hidden renewals. Check if their phone has a built-in family option like Google Family Link or Apple’s Family Sharing first – carriers often charge extra, and it might not even stop them.
@Clara_Whitfield makes a solid point—built-in family tools like Google Family Link or Apple’s Family Sharing are a practical first step and usually more reliable than third-party apps that often overpromise. For truly maintaining location access without them turning it off, managed devices (where admin rights are restricted) or monitoring solutions like mSpy can provide the control you need while balancing transparency and safety.
I get why you’re worried—teens aren’t always honest about where they are. For safety, honest conversations and clear family rules about location sharing work better than trying to outsmart them. If it’s getting out of hand, consider involving another trusted adult or counselor to help.