In today’s digital age, parents have a tempting tool at their disposal—the ability to track their child’s every step using geolocation apps. At first glance, this seems like the perfect solution to ensure safety and peace of mind. However, leading child psychology experts are urging parents to consider the hidden consequences of such total control, warning that it can hinder a child’s personal development.
Of course, tracking devices do have their benefits. For very young children, they can serve as a kind of ‘bridge’ to independence. For example, parents might allow their child to go buy bread at the local store for the first time, knowing they can quickly check their location if needed. It’s a preventive measure that helps avoid obvious dangers while allowing kids to gradually expand their world within safe boundaries.
But what’s the other side of the coin? Constant monitoring removes the need for children to learn how to solve problems on their own. Psychologists observe that this kind of overprotection interferes with the development of autonomy. A child who grows up knowing they’ll always be ‘found’ won’t learn to navigate, ask for directions if lost, or make independent decisions in unexpected situations. Rather than developing resourcefulness and self-confidence, they become dependent on technology and parental intervention.
The key question every parent should ask themselves is: am I motivated by genuine concern for safety, or by a desire to control everything? The line between these two is very thin. While for young children a tracker can be a safety tool, as the child grows up it often becomes a means of surveillance. The need to know where your teenager is every minute is less about safety and more about distrust and wanting to keep them under constant control.
This approach gives children and teenagers a distorted sense of reality. They grow up with a false sense of security, convinced that adults will solve any problem for them. This undermines their self-esteem, as true confidence and resilience develop through overcoming challenges and achieving goals independently. A child loses the joy of small personal victories, which are crucial for healthy development.
Before installing a tracking app on your child’s phone, experts recommend carefully considering several important factors. First, it’s essential to discuss this decision with your child and explain your reasons. Second, take age into account: the older the child, the more freedom and trust they need. Allow them the space to make mistakes and learn from them—that’s a natural part of growing up. And finally, be honest with yourself: do you really need geolocation, or is it just a way to ease your own anxiety? Sometimes, a simple rule like “call if something happens” and a trusting relationship are more than enough.
