The built-in smartphone app and location sharing feature allow parents to see their child’s whereabouts at all times. Did they arrive safely? Are they where they said they were? How far away will they be in case of an emergency?
A new national poll shows that while these tools can provide reassurance, some parents may cross the line as their children reach adulthood.
Half of parents report tracking the whereabouts of their adult children ages 18 to 25 at least sometimes, according to the University of Michigan Health Center CS Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Child Health. But a quarter of these parents say it can sometimes make them feel more anxious than relieved.
“As children become young adults, questions may arise as to whether and when location tracking by parents is appropriate,” said Sarah Clark MPH, co-director of Mott Pole.
“Our findings suggest that families are divided on where the boundaries should be.”
Tracking is especially common for young adults
Location tracking is more common among parents of young adults aged 18-20 than among parents of 21-25-year-olds. The nationally representative report, based on 1,542 parents surveyed in February, said parents were more likely to track daughters than sons.
For many families, tracking isn’t something they use every once in a while, but it’s always present, with more than two-thirds of parents who use tracking saying it’s always on. Less than a third use tracking only in certain situations.
Even parents who have access to their child’s location on a daily basis are more likely to prompt them in certain situations, such as when a young adult is out late at night, in a strange location, using a rideshare or taxi service, or spending time with someone the parent doesn’t know.
The most common reason parents track is for a sense of security. Most people say they use location sharing to reassure them that their children are safe or to prepare for emergencies, and about one in five say it helps them know when to make a phone call.
A smaller percentage said they use it to stay informed about what their child is doing or to make sure they are in a place their parents approve of. Remarkably, 11% of parents who track their child’s location say they have no particular reason to do so.
“For some parents, location tracking reduces uncertainty and provides greater peace of mind,” Clark said.
However, constant access to information can also increase anxiety. When parents can check their child’s location at any time, it may be difficult to resist checking, especially if they are already worried. ”
Sarah Clarke, Mott Paul Co-Director
Balancing safety and privacy
Almost all parents who track their adult children say their children know they are being tracked. However, fewer than half said they gave their children the option to opt out of sharing their location.
Two-thirds of parents who don’t track their adult children say they feel tracking is an invasion of their privacy. About half also think it can hinder the development of independence and personal responsibility.
“For some families, tracking may be seen as a default rather than a collaborative decision,” Clark said.
“Lack of conversation about whether or how tracking occurs can feel intrusive. As digital tools continue to evolve, families may benefit from thoughtful conversations about how to balance safety, privacy, and independence.”
learn to let go
Clark says that while there are certain situations where location sharing can serve as a valuable safety tool, parents should remember that young people can use smartphone safety features without relying on parental supervision.
When traveling, meeting new people, or returning home late at night, many people already share their location with friends. She points out that this type of peer-based location sharing can help support safety while allowing young people to decide when and with whom to share their location.
One unexpected finding from the report was that tracking often goes in both directions. About half of parents say their adult children track their whereabouts. In 90% of those cases, the parents are also tracking their young adult children.
This dynamic may give parents some useful perspective, Clark said.
“Parents can reflect on how it feels to have their position visible to others and use that insight to inform conversations with their young adult children,” she said.
Clark says establishing a common understanding of expectations, boundaries, and the purpose of tracking can help reduce conflict and strengthen trust as young people become more independent.
“Parents who use location tracking think they are keeping their children safe, but they may be interfering with young people learning how to keep themselves safe,” Clark said.
“At worst, constant location tracking can lead parents to take over control of their young adult children’s daily lives, leading them to ask why their children aren’t going to work, attending doctor’s appointments, or attending classes. In that type of hanging, young adults become less responsible for their own schedules and obligations, and less responsible for thinking about how to become successful adults.”
sauce:
Michigan Medicine – University of Michigan
