The best way to know where your teenagers are is to have the kind of relationship with them in which they tell you — truthfully. But for those whose relationships are a bit strained, well, there’s an app for that. Here is a list of some apps that will help protect your cover as you track your teens’ online comings and goings: 1.mSpy mSpy is the top used cell phone tracking app worldwide, according to TopTrackingApps. Its main selling point is that you can monitor multiple things with it — who they call, what they text, which apps they use, the number of contacts, GPS location, etc. And according to SpyParent’s founder Sedgrid Lewis, “it works.” While the field of spying apps isn’t limited, simplicity of use and reliability are factors to be considered. 2.The Spy Bubble The Spy Bubble is another jack-of-all-spying-trades, also suitable for monitoring the phone of your suspected cheating spouse. Its site does offer some cautionary, if frightening, state-of-the-world information you might find useful. We are still reeling from this one about online photos and Photoshop: “Never let your kids share their photos online on an open forum. Why? They will ask. Everyone does that. Yes, everyone does that and about eight percent of those experience harassment due to photoshop effects on their photos. The worst bullying of this sort is seen by the girls, especially because female reputation is one of the most fragile things in the world.” 3. Mobicip Mobicip isn’t so much a tracker app as one that restores a bit of control over your teen’s online life. The middle school level blocks online shopping, gambling, dating, liquor, and chat sites. The high school level blocks content that is adult, sexual, or involves weapons and violence. Good luck with your kid not using a friend’s phone. 4. Mamabear For parents of new drivers and parents of teens with friends who have had their licenses for 20 minutes, MamaBear will let you know the speed of the vehicle your teen is traveling in. Just don’t text them to slow down, OK? 5.Kaspersky SafeKids Kaspersky SafeKids is a parental control and GPS child-locator application. The app allows parents to block content, manage device use, and monitor a child’s online activity. It also lets parents locate their children on a map and set a safe location for them to stay. By using the app, you can check the battery level on your kid’s device to ensure you are always in touch.
