My son just got his first phone, any suggestions for tracking apps (location etc) please?

Posted by InterstellarSpaniel@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 22 comments

Just for safety purposes, he's 11, I'd like to ensure he gets to school etc. I've come across Qustodio which seems decent but £100 a year, happy to pay but wondered if there are any recommendations for alternatives? Google family link perhaps? It's an android phone. Thank you!

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22 Comments

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Forever_a_Kumquat@reddit

Life 360. I use the free version with my wife. I have android, she has apple.

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WizGlesgaNowEK@reddit

I obviously don\`t know you or your wife, but why do you use an app like that "with" her ?

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Forever_a_Kumquat@reddit

We use it together as I'm out driving all day around the country and she often goes out walking or cycling alone in the woods and surrounding area. Came Into it's own when one of dogs got hit by a falling tree and my wife wasn't making any sense on the phone in hysterics. I ran to the location from my house and found them immediately. Not everyone is a creepy stalker, some couples just care about each others wellbeing.

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WizGlesgaNowEK@reddit

I asked a question, you said creepy stalker.

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Forever_a_Kumquat@reddit

Ok?

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R7SOA19281@reddit

I’d imagine it’s for safety reasons, so if either of them went missing (kidnapped, abducted, injured or in a car crash) they would know where they are. Or he’s crazy, but I doubt it’s that one if he’s on Reddit talking about it.

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WizGlesgaNowEK@reddit

\> (kidnapped, abducted, injured or in a car crash) People don\`t plan for things like that, do they ? I have lived a fair few years with humans and I will never understand us.

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WowzersTrousers0@reddit

They do when they've been tricked by phone companies that it's "essential". Consume more, stay scared, become paranoid - It's good for profit.

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Poseidons-Trident_@reddit

slightly related but i use it with my friends and family, it saves time just knowing where they are instead of having to call + the nofication will say “riley arrived at work” so you are not checking and you know they’re safe, this guy just probably likes knowing she got to her destination safely and vice versa

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InterstellarSpaniel@reddit (OP)

Great thanks, looking into that now

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AmInATizzy@reddit

This is the one I have with my husband and two kids. The free version allows you to get notifications for arrival/departure for 2 seperate locations. I mostly use that for my son cycling to football.

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dragonfishofthenorth@reddit

We use family link from Google which works with ios and android, it allows location tracking, notifications when they've left school for e.g You can also set up controls to ensure they don't go on certain sites and block certain apps, or require parental approvals. Time limits on apps and overall phone screentime can also be controlled.

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Rocker_86@reddit

Family link is really good. It shows the phone location and you can set it up to notify you when it arrives at a set location. Like if they are walking to a friend or family member's house etc.

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InterstellarSpaniel@reddit (OP)

Excellent thanks

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flarmigan@reddit

Life 360 is far better for me than Google maps tracking. When my children’s phones have child restrictions the location just doesn’t update as often

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Soggy_Detective_4737@reddit

Life 360 and Google Family link are what we use.

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Kamoebas@reddit

Life 360 and Google Family Link. Covers most bases for free.

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DameKumquat@reddit

Google family link works for my teenagers - they know it's there. Unlike most teens they don't like communicating so it's very handy.

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CriticalMine7886@reddit

It's not sophisticated, but we just used Google location sharing - the wife & I still do but our daughter has grown out of that and disconnected from us.

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Friendly-Handle-2073@reddit

Used Google family link for years for my son. As long as both your phones are android! Can track, set screen times, block websites, set up filters etc etc. can recommend highly!

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ResplendentBear@reddit

Use Google Family link as needed to set it up anyway to set screen time limits and other controls.

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