Should You Track Your Kids?

My 12-year-old started taking the bus to school this year, and despite a Quebec-wide cellphone ban in high schools, we have him tuck his phone into the bottom of his backpack, not to be used, but solely so we can track him. Taking the bus is new for all of us, and I like knowing where my son is. I figure, if the technology is available, why wouldn’t I track him?

It's natural to want to keep your kids safe

Whether it’s protecting toddlers from corners when they’re learning to walk or to look both ways when kids cross the street, our main focus as parents is our child’s safety. And while being able to see your child’s location on a map isn’t the same thing as protecting them from danger, it feels pretty close, especially as kids become more independent. But is it a good idea to track your child?

“What makes the biggest difference is how the tool is used,” said Matthew Johnson, Director of Education at MediaSmarts (MediaSmarts is Canada’s bilingual centre for digital media literacy that conducts research, develops resources, and advances digital media literacy).

“At age 12, you should treat the tracker as a way of giving your son more physical independence when he's out of the house. If you’re open with your child about why you’re using it, set clear boundaries around when you’ll check it, and involve them in those decisions, it can become a way to build trust rather than erode it. What’s important is that the tracker isn’t a substitute for conversations about independence and safety. As kids get older and show responsibility, gradually stepping back from tracking and developing new safety strategies together is a powerful way to show that you trust them.”

The pros of tracking

For my family, the benefit of tracking my son is peace of mind, and he doesn’t seem bothered by it. But I know there will come a time when he won’t be so keen about it. We talk about why we use it and what will determine when we stop. We also discuss personal safety, whether or not a tracking device is used.

“There can be advantages to tracking tools, so long as kids are aware that you're using them,” Johnson said. “For many parents, it can be reassuring to have a safety net in case of emergencies, and it can even be a way of easing into a child’s independence.”

The cons of tracking

There are real downsides, Johnson warned. “Tracking can undermine the trust between parents and kids if it feels more like surveillance than support, and it can give a false sense of security if it takes the place of conversations about safety and responsibility. Children also need space to develop independence, and constant monitoring can make them feel like they don’t have control over their own lives.”

Markham, Ontario, mom of three now-grown children, Tracey Britt, isn’t a fan of trackers and didn’t use them. “We talked about safety, ‘what to do if…’, we had a family password, we encouraged exploration and solving their own problems without judgment, and while their solution may not be my solution or my husband's solution, it’s still a solution,” she explained. “My husband and I did not instill fear into our kids, and most importantly, of strangers. Ninety-nine percent of people are nice, and if you research crime, you know the truth: children are not taken by strangers; they are taken by friends and family. We have tried very hard to raise our children to know that the world is not somewhere to be afraid of, it is somewhere to be enjoyed, to be loved, and to love. I would tell the kids to go out and have fun and don't come back without a good story.”

What tools are out there

Wearable GPS trackers include smartwatches and pendant-style devices, small standalone GPS trackers, and parental control apps that use a child's existing smartphone to track their location. Some devices offer unique features like two-way communication, while others are designed for children with special needs, such as autism.

For younger children, there are devices used solely for tracking. They can be worn as a watch or hidden in a backpack, pocket, shoes, or affixed to a belt. When my son started going to neighbourhood parks solo with friends, we got him a tracker that he tucked in his bag, and it allowed us to see on a map in real time where he was. We could also set up a perimeter (geo-fencing), and we’d be alerted if he went beyond it. It had an emergency SOS button he could press that would notify us immediately as well.

Building safety protocol rather than enforcing it

Experts say that the responsibility to take care of oneself really comes from communication, trust, and practice. “It helps to have regular conversations with kids about safety and decision-making, to set household rules around using technology and on expectations like when to check in, and to give them independence in stages,” Johnson said. “When kids feel trusted, they’re more likely to live up to that trust. Over time, as they demonstrate responsibility, parents can step back and loosen the tech surveillance, which helps young people build the confidence and resilience they need to navigate the world on their own.”