AirTags, GPS watches & location sharing: tracking kids safely

Apple says AirTag was designed to help people locate their belongings, not to track people. It can play a sound and show alerts on nearby phones to warn people it is moving with them.

Some families clip a tag into a child’s bag or shoe anyway. Know that it is not built for this, may alert others, and is no substitute for supervision.

For young children who can’t remember your number, an ID bracelet or tag with your contact details helps staff reunite you quickly.

For children who wander, the AAP also suggests medical alert tags and name labels in clothing.

Watches appeal to parents of younger children because they avoid some of the costs and risks of a smartphone.

Quality varies. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has warned some kids’ watch makers that they appeared to collect children’s precise location without proper notice to parents or parental consent.

In Apple’s Find My, family members see each other only if they have chosen to share their location, and sharing can be turned off.

With Google Family Link, a child’s location only shows if the device is on, connected to the internet and recently used.

For teens, location sharing is often tied to friendships, not just family safety.

For autistic children and others who wander, the AAP suggests GPS devices and asking local police about Project Lifesaver or similar programs.

Tracking can let children do more on their own, like walking to school, while easing worries for the adults raising them. It also helps with everyday logistics, like timing a pickup.

Parents of young adults most often say they track for peace of mind (68%) and in case of emergencies (64%).

A dot on a map won’t show who your child is with, how they feel, or whether they’re safe. Devices run out of battery, lose signal, or get left behind.

Almost 1 in 4 parents who track say it sometimes makes them more anxious, not less.

Research on teens found parents’ knowledge came mainly from what teens chose to share, and that was the kind of knowledge most closely linked with staying out of trouble.

At this age, your eyes are the main safety tool. An ID bracelet or tag with your phone number helps if you get separated in a crowd.

If your child wanders or bolts, a GPS device may be worth discussing with your pediatrician.

Many families begin tracking around ages 8 to 12, often as children start getting around on their own.

Ideas

• Explain what you’ll see and when you’ll check
• Pair tracking with skills: crossing roads, what to do if lost
• Start with short trips and build up
• Use a watch or basic phone if a smartphone isn’t right yet

Older children and teens usually want more privacy and independence. Involve them in the decision, agree when it’s used, and plan to scale back over time.

Experts suggest mutual agreement for young adults and using tracking as a temporary safety net during transitions, not constant oversight.

Hidden tracking can feel like a betrayal when discovered. Kids may stop sharing, leave devices behind or find ways around it. Open tracking keeps the conversation going.

Many parents feel conflicted, worrying that constant monitoring could erode trust. Some prefer “checking in” to “tracking”.

• “Text me when you get there.”
• “Running late? Just let me know.”
• “Send me a thumbs-up when you’re heading home.”

Checking in gives your child practice at keeping you informed, a skill they’ll need when tracking ends.

Some children are tracked well into young adulthood, and some have spoken out about how it limits them. Agreement given at 10 may not still hold at 17.

• “This is so I can help fast if something goes wrong, not to spy on you.”
• “I’ll only check if you’re late or I can’t reach you.”
• “What would make this feel fair to you?”
• “As you show me you can handle more, we’ll use it less.”

• “I know exactly where you were, so don’t lie to me.”
• “If you turn it off, you lose your phone forever.”
• “I don’t trust you.”
• “Your sister never complained about it.”

A teen who switches off sharing may want privacy, feel embarrassed in front of friends, or be hiding something risky. Ask calmly what’s going on, restate why it matters to you, and look for a new agreement together.

Parents of young adults most often check location late at night (44%), in an unfamiliar place (39%), during a rideshare or taxi (25%), or when their child is out with someone they don’t know (23%).

What works for one parent or caregiver may not work for the other. Agree on the basics together, like who can see your child’s location and when, so your child gets one clear message.

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) protects children under 13. A child’s physical location counts as personal information, so covered companies must get a parent’s consent before collecting it.

Parents have the right to review what was collected, withdraw consent and have it deleted.

• How long is it kept?
• Is it shared or sold to other companies?
• What location data is collected?
• Who can see it?

Read the privacy policy. You can often allow collection but block sharing with others.

The FTC has warned kids’ watch makers about how they handled children’s location data. Stick with well-known brands, use strong passwords and keep devices updated.

Agree on tracking in your parenting plan if you can, and focus on your child’s safety, not on watching the other household. If tracking is being used to control you or your child, get support.

In Apple’s Find My you can stop sharing with one person, and Safety Check can quickly stop sharing your information if your personal safety is at risk.

Help your teen see the difference between agreed family safety sharing and a boyfriend, girlfriend or friend who demands to know where they are all the time.

Don’t rely on an app to find a missing child. Call the police right away: there is no waiting period to report a missing child.

After calling police, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children can support you.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988, or chat at chat.988lifeline.org, 24/7.

Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741, free and confidential, 24/7.

If you think a company collected your child’s information without your consent, the FTC accepts reports through its fraud reporting site.

Find A Helpline lists free, confidential helplines around the world. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.