Ever wanted to attach a tracker to different devices on your child so you know where they are at all times? You aren’t alone. Parents have always spent years looking for ways to keep their kids safe and out of trouble, and now with GPS tracking, it’s easier than ever to know where your child is even when they aren’t with you.
There are so many reasons why a parent might want to track their child. It makes it easy to track your child if they disappear. Kids wander off but, even more frightening, kids also get grabbed and kidnapped. A GPS tracker will make it easy to determine your child’s whereabouts even if someone does the unthinkable.
Older kids also have a tendency to get into things and go places they shouldn’t be. If you’re the parent of a teenager, you’ve likely had at least one experience with your child missing curfew and you spending minutes or hours in a panic. A GPS tracking system is going to make things so much easier and less stressful when you’re feeling overwhelmed and scared about your child’s safety.
If you have any reason to want to locate your child quickly—and what parent doesn’t—a GPS tracker is a great option.
The Downside of Using a GPS Tracker for Your Kid
GPS tracking is a good idea for all kids in some cases but, as a parent, you can probably guess it’ll be easier to track your younger child, as opposed to your teenagers. As teens, kids can’t wait to escape the supervision of their parents and the last thing they want is 24-hour monitoring through a GPS system. You might also have ethical issues with tracking your older child. Even if it’s for his or her safety, you want your child to gain autonomy as they grow older and constant tracking is going to prevent that from happening.
Tracking your teen can create privacy and trust issues. Even if you explain that you trust your child and it’s the rest of the world that’s in question, it’s going to cause your older child to question your judgment of them. You want to feel that your child can protect themselves in an emergency, but you also want to know that if something terrible happens, you can locate your child quickly.
If you choose to use a GPS tracking device for your older child, have a discussion in advance about your intentions and why you’ve chosen to use the device. Hopefully, your child will understand and know that you’re doing it for their safety and not because you lack trust.
An honest explanation of why you’re using a GPS tracker for kids can also prevent your technologically savvy teen from disabling the device. You should assume that any device you’re able to operate can be operated just as easily by your child. If they understand the purpose of the device and knows you aren’t trying to spy on their activities, it’s more likely they will comply.
Finally, keep in mind that tracking your child creates the possibility of someone else doing the same. High-tech GPS trackers can be hacked, so this means that if the wrong person wants to track your child it would be possible. You might assume this isn’t going to happen to you, but if you’re concerned enough about your child’s safety to utilize a GPS device, you should be just as concerned about someone using that device for nefarious purposes. All that needs to be done to activate a GPS tracker is to turn it on through the cell phone, which means it will be as easy for stalkers, kidnappers, and rapists to track your child as it is for you.
Also, keep in mind that a GPS tracker does not guarantee you’ll be able to locate your child in an emergency. GPS trackers can be disabled or left behind. Unless you’re planning on installing the GPS tracker in your child’s body—and even that isn’t fail-safe—you can’t consider a GPS tracking system perfect.
Likewise, if you’re thinking about installing a GPS tracker on your child’s phone, it’s probably not necessary in an emergency. GPS trackers are good for giving parents peace of mind, but if there’s a true law enforcement emergency, there’s a good chance the cell phone company will be able to track your child’s location. If you do choose a tracker, you’re better off getting the kind that can be worn or clipped to your child’s clothing.
Choosing the Right GPS Tracker
There are plenty of GPS tracking systems available. When choosing the one that is right for you and your child, consider the following:
How Easy Is it to Use?
You want a GPS tracker that’s simple to use, but not so simple that your very young child can disable it. If you want your child to be able to turn on the tracker, make sure they are able to understand how it works, including how it attached to their body or clothing.
How Old Does the Manufacturer Recommend Your Child Be to Use the Tracker?
Some GPS trackers come with an age recommendation. Much of this has to do with ease of use, but it might also be related to how visible the tracker is. For instance, a tracker for a younger child might be larger and have larger buttons and be easier to read. One recommended for an older child might be smaller, making it easier to conceal from friends.
How Long Does the Battery on the Tracker Last?
You want a tracker that will be able to work for a few days, just in case there’s a worst case scenario. The more you need to charge the tracker and refresh the battery, the less good it will do if your child disappears.
Comfort
Your child is going to take off the tracker if it’s too heavy or uncomfortable to wear. The best trackers are ones your child forgets he or she is wearing.
Range
Determine whether you need to just know where your child is when they are a few feet from home or if you need a tracker able to find your child on the other side of the country. This is especially important if your child will be traveling longer distances without you.
Durability
You want a tracker that can take a beating and keep working. It should be water resistant and able to take a few bumps from playground play and other things it’s exposed to while being worn by the average active child.
Features of a GPS Tracker
In addition to all of the basic things you’ll want to consider in a GPS tracker, it’s also a good idea to consider what features the tracker offers.
There are several potential features you can get in a GPS tracker for kids. Geo-fencing allows you to create safety zones and you’ll receive an alert if your child goes out of bounds. Getting alerts and notifications is also a great feature that can provide you with information about your child’s whereabouts as often as you choose.
GPS trackers can also feature panic buttons that allow your child to contact emergency services if there’s an emergency. This is a great feature because it doesn’t require you do anything to keep your child safe and it’s a great way to allow your child to take responsibility for his or her own safety.
Some GPS trackers allow you to communicate with your child. If you want to be able to do this, but you aren’t keen on your child having a smartphone, this is a great option.
There are a bunch of other features that might come in handy, in addition to those listed. You can get GPS trackers with games (increasing the likelihood your child will want to carry the tracker), as well as trackers that are designed to work just as well indoors as they do outdoors.
Best GPS Trackers for Kids
Now that you know what you’re looking for in GPS tracker, you can narrow down your choices from this list of the best options available:
AngelSense Kids GPS Tracker
AngelSense has created a GPS tracker designed specifically to protect children. It has numerous tracking abilities, including the ability to set up a safe zone and provide 30-second updates, and can even let you listen in to your child’s conversations. This is a great tracker for younger children, especially those who spend their day in daycare or with a babysitter. These trackers offer two-way voice communication so you can speak to your child throughout the day.
The tracker requires a monthly plan that allows you to use its features and it’s pricey. Plans start around $30, but many parents consider it a small price to pay to know that their children are safe all the time. We love this tracker because it has special features included that were designed with an eye toward helping kids with disabilities.
hereO 2 GPS Watch for Kids
If you want a GPS tracking device that makes it easy and convenient for your child to use, give this one a try. It looks like a watch so it’s simple to have your child wear it and most people won’t even know what they’re wearing. It comes in a variety of sizes and colors and is comfortable for all-day wear.
The watch has several features, including a tamper-resistant lock and alert system, so you’ll know if someone is trying to take the watch off your child. There is real-time tracking ability that sends you updates on your child’s location. It’s designed to fit little wrists.
This tracker is pricey, especially since there are a few features it doesn’t have, but many parents love this tracker enough to spend the extra money.
AmbyGear Smartwatch
AmbyGear GPS trackers are smartwatches, but they come with a special feature: they can reward your child for good behavior.
The AmbyGear system has games and learning activities, and each time your child performs an activity he or she is rewarded with points.
Another great feature of the AmbyGear? Kids can track parents, too. Not only will you know where your child is located at all times, the watch allows your child to figure out where you are—something that’s a great comfort for a child feeling as if he or she is lost. The AmbyGear system also has a calendar app.
The downside of the AmbyGear tracker? Some parents were concerned that the games and other fun activities built into the device have a tendency to distract kids and make them less aware of their surroundings—increasing the likelihood something could happen to them because they aren’t paying attention.
My Buddy Tag Bluetooth Wristband
The My Buddy Tag Bluetooth Wristband is designed to help you track your child when they are out of sight. It has an alert system that is specifically designed to let you know if the device has been exposed to water. The goal? To prevent children from drowning by alerting parents that the device has been submerged in water for more than five seconds.
My Buddy Tag is only about $40, but this is because it’s not designed to be an all-around comprehensive tracker. It features a long battery life and lets you track more than one child at the same time, which is great if you’re taking a few kids to the pool or you have a pool at home. The tracker only has a range of about 80 to 120 feet and can’t be used indoors.
Lineable Smart Wristband for Kids
This is another simple, budget-friendly GPS tracker for kids. It’s a no-frills tracker and doesn’t have any other features other than being able to see where your child is at a given time. Its simplicity makes it affordable and it has a long battery life, but you need to download the app and you’ll only be able to track your child up to 65 to 98 feet.
This tracker is best for little kids and would be a good option for parents taking their children to the park and wanting to make sure they are safe if they step out of eyesight momentarily.