The Best Ways to Track Your Kid (And Why You Might Not Want To)

A device that keeps tabs on a kid’s location from afar can be a reassuring tool as they start to navigate the world on their own.

When my then-10-year-old daughter had to take a bus to another town for soccer practice, she packed her soccer ball, sunscreen, a snack, a water bottle—and a GPS tracking device.

Tracking her assured me that she had caught the bus and reached her destination 30 minutes away. I could confirm her location unobtrusively, without having to call or interrupt her. It also gave her some freedom: After school, she and her teammates walked the half mile to the bus stop on their own.

GPS tracking can be a handy feature as you allow your kids to have more independence, or it can simply provide peace of mind in special situations, such as during a visit to a large, crowded amusement park. With some gadgets, you can also set up notifications that alert you if your child has left or arrived at a particular location.

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