Parenting Tips: Tracking children's locations in the name of safety has become a major mistake for parents..
- byShikha Srivastava
- 04 Jul, 2026
While the digital age has enabled parents to keep track of their children's locations, this constant monitoring often causes them to lose sight of the distinction between privacy and safety. This practice not only heightens parental anxiety but also makes young adults afraid to make decisions or take risks. This insight comes from a recent survey—a topic that warrants serious discussion.

**Digital Monitoring: A Source of Trouble for Parents and Young Adults**
A recent survey conducted by the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital revealed that parents across many countries, including the US and those in Europe, are monitoring their adult children for safety reasons. While such monitoring might offer a sense of reassurance on the surface, it actually fuels underlying anxiety. Meanwhile, young adults subjected to this level of surveillance are becoming hesitant to make decisions or take risks.
**Parents Digitally Monitoring 18-to-25-Year-Olds**
The report indicates that approximately 52% of parents in the US track the locations of their adult children (aged 18–25) who are attending university, using mobile phones or apps. Daughters are tracked more frequently than sons. The survey highlights this parental habit as a cause for concern, as it leads to intrusion into the children's daily lives. Furthermore, the monitoring has intensified to the point where parents question them about essential matters such as their studies, classes, or doctor's appointments.

**Rising Stress Among Parents**
Constant monitoring of their children is increasing stress levels among parents rather than providing them with peace of mind. The report found that 23% of parents admitted that tracking their children's location daily heightened their own anxiety. It is worth noting that 68% of these parents say they do this for their own peace of mind, while 64% do it for emergencies. Additionally, 17% of parents state that they want to know their child's whereabouts.
PC Social Media






