Modern times call for modern questions – and one an important and bigger question is should parents track their children with GPS tracking? Your parents did not have to worry about this question when you were a kid they had their peace of mind but now times have changed and so as the technology. Teen safety has been a huge concern for the parents which keeps them worried about the children’s safety as the incidents of crime soar.

As per Pew Research center around 16% of parents use the monitoring apps to track their teen’s location and know about their whereabouts. If you wish to know where your kids at any given moment of time you can do that pretty easily and that without calling or sending a text message to your kids. It is all possible due to the tracking apps that follow your child wherever they go giving you peace of mind.

The GPS tracking could hurt the parent child relationship if parents don’t have a talk or consultation with the kid upfront about it. If the kid feels that their privacy is being invaded in any way it harms the relationships.

GPS tracking can be pretty useful as it allows the kids to have independence and also provide peace of mind to you whenever your child goes out to any particular place. Even you can also set certain zones or places which will alert or update you with the notification when the child has arrived or left the particular location

All most all the Smartphones comes with the support for GPS tracking which enables you to track the phone easily. Mostly the parents or caregiver uses a smartphone app to track the child with a point or mark on the map showing the child’s approximate location.

Sometimes the constant surveillance with GPS tracking on your children can harm your relationship with your child and causing them to be more secretive about themselves. You don’t want to rely solely on technology to inform you about your child whereabouts you want your children to tell you.  In case if you want to track your child’s location don’t do it without keeping them in loop. Rather than that have a conversation with them and let them know you are monitoring them.

Choosing the Right Moment

Timing is pretty crucial while discussing GPS tracking with kids. Choose an appropriate moment when you and your kid are calm and free from distractions. A causal non formal conversation will be pretty much more comfortable

Open the Dialogue

Start the conversation with kids by expressing love and safety for them. Explain to them that you worry for them and concerned about their safety

Listen to their concerns

Give the child a chance to express their feelings and concerns about being tracked.  They might feel it that it is an invasion of their privacy or it may signify a lack of trust among them. Acknowledge their feelings and justify their concerns

Address the benefits

Explain them the benefits of GPS tracking and how it can be beneficial for both the parent as well as the child

Pros and Cons of Tracking Your children

Pros

You are always where your kids are

Help can be easily reached to them in case of any issues

It helps you to be virtually together with them through technology

Cons

Teens might think you are spying them

The locations that you get may not be correct

Set Clear Boundaries

Decide with the child about the terms and conditions for location tracking such as

When it will be turned on or off

Situation or circumstances under which you would check their location

Setting clear boundaries will make the child feel more comfortable knowing that their privacy is not being compromised

Negotiating with kids about tracking their location needs a proper balance of ensuring kids safety and respecting their privacy.  By properly discussing with their kids with a willingness to listen parents can arrive at an appropriate solution which safeguards their child’s wellbeing