Quick answer
Teen GPS tracking works best as an agreement, not surveillance. Put a tracker in the car your teen drives, agree up front on what you will check, such as arrivals and curfew, and what you will leave alone, and have that conversation before you switch it on. Done that way, it replaces the constant check-in calls instead of adding to them.
Teens and their parents have seemingly conflicting goals: teens want their independence and parents want their kids to make safe, wise decisions. While the intentions of both parties are usually good, they often muck up the presentation––the parents ask too many questions about their teens’ whereabouts, which makes them feel attacked. This usually results in their teens feeling affronted and shutting down, which leads to their parents doubting and worrying more.
The safety case is stark. IIHS analysis of federal crash data shows the fatal crash rate for 16-to-19-year-olds is more than three times the rate for drivers 20 and older, and NHTSA reports drivers aged 15 to 20 were 8.9% of all drivers in fatal crashes despite being just 5.1% of licensed drivers.
What if there was a way for you to give them more freedom without sacrificing your peace of mind?
GPS Trackers for Teens
As technology has improved in the last several years, there are many different GPS tracker options to help parents and teens with their age-old argument about checking in and getting the third degree when their parents don’t know their whereabouts. Far from being a way for parents to “stalk” their teens, GPS can actually be a powerful tool that allows teens to have more agency within the boundaries their parents have set.
Often, teens don’t take umbrage at the idea of their parents knowing where they are; rather, they are bothered by the constant need to check in and give a report of where they are and what they are doing. Peers may tease them for calling or texting their parents frequently, they may feel like they aren’t trusted, or they may simply be so busy with their friends or extracurriculars that they forget to check in. Needing to call or text to check in can feel like a constant reminder that the independence your teen craves is out of their reach.
However, as parents, it is our job to keep tabs on our teens. We can’t abdicate our responsibility to look after their well-being, even if they are getting older and increasing in their responsibilities. We still have to set limits and give consequences when those limits are not respected.
Using a GPS tracker can take nagging out of the equation. With a GPS tracker, you can see where your teen is and receive alerts when they change their location. You can even set approved boundaries (known as a “geofence”) and receive alerts when the tracker goes beyond those boundaries. This allows you to know where your teen is—and can even offer peace of mind knowing they are within a safe space such as a neighborhood, park, or school. It gives your teen an opportunity to show their trustworthiness without your constant reminders or hovering while also keeping them fully accountable for being where they are supposed to be.
In addition to creating a geofence, GPS trackers can also be set to alert you according to the parameters you set. You can set them to alert you every time a location change occurs, or you can have a specific time interval set where you will receive your next alert, such as hourly.
You will need to decide what type of tracker will best serve your family. Some trackers are specifically installed in cars, whereas others can be worn like jewelry, clipped onto a bag, or belt loop like a key chain. Deciding the best option for your family will depend on what you need to accomplish with your teen. If you are simply keeping track of their car use and general activities without requiring frequent check-ins, a car GPS might be the most practical. If your child doesn’t drive yet or if you need more current information about their physical whereabouts, you might need to use a GPS tracker that can be worn on their person.
How do I talk to my teen about using the GPS?
Your teen may resent the idea that you are tracking them with GPS if you don’t sit down and have an honest, upfront conversation about why a GPS tracker is a valuable tool for the both of you. In fact, you might want to plan on having ongoing conversations about the GPS tracker and the boundaries you set as your teen either earns your trust or requires a little more supervision, whatever the case may be.
If you’re not sure how to broach the conversation, you can start by asking your teen how they feel about checking in with you on their whereabouts. You can suggest that instead of calling or texting, it would be easier if you can receive alerts with the GPS device. If you are choosing to use a geofence, this might be a good time to explain what the alert boundaries are and when it’s appropriate to ask for exceptions.
This can also be a good time to reinforce your role as a parent and their goals as an adolescent. You can discuss how it is completely appropriate for them to desire greater independence as they get older, and how it is also appropriate and important for you as a parent to ensure thier safety. Explain how the GPS tracker can both increase their independence by requiring fewer check-ins while increasing your peace of mind by letting you see that they are honoring your trust.
Finally, let your teen know that you will continue to discuss and evaluate the role of the GPS tracker. Make a plan to talk on a schedule that works for both of you, whether that is monthly, quarterly, or more often. If they are uncomfortable with the supervision, talk about ways they can prove that they don’t require it, such as always honoring the geofence boundaries. Make sure they know that the device is meant to serve both of you, not restrict them or punish them.
By using open and honest communication, a GPS tracker can become a powerful tool to build trust and peace of mind with your teen. Many families have found success with devices like Logistimatics' Mobile 200. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly to learn more!
If that raises a related question, What Is Child Tracking and How Does It Work covers it in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best GPS tracker for a teen driver?
For a new driver, a hardwired tracker such as the Road Wired is the simplest choice: it draws power from the car, so it never needs charging and it reports every trip. If you want one tracker you can move between cars, a portable magnetic unit like the Mobile-200 runs about 10 days per charge. Both need a monthly plan for live tracking.
Is it legal to track my teenager with GPS?
Parents commonly track a minor in their care and a car they own or co-own. The legal risk comes from tracking a vehicle you do not own, or an adult, without consent. The rules vary by state, so check yours before you install anything. Our guide to GPS tracking laws by state walks through the differences.
Should I tell my teen I am tracking them?
Yes. A tracker your teen knows about becomes a shared tool: they skip the check-in texts, and you get a quiet map instead of a worried phone call. A hidden tracker that gets discovered usually costs more trust than it ever bought you. Agree on the rules together, and agree on what earns more freedom.
Can I get alerts instead of watching the map all day?
Yes, and that is the healthier way to use one. Most GPS tracker apps let you draw geofences around home, school or work and send an alert when the car arrives or leaves. You then look at the map only when something is off, rather than refreshing it every hour.
Is a GPS tracker better than a phone location app for a teen?
They do different jobs. A phone app follows the phone, which can be switched off, left at a friend's house or run flat. A tracker fixed in the car follows the car regardless of the phone. Many families use both: the phone for the person, the tracker for the vehicle they are responsible for.
