My teenager recently started driving to school by themselves, and I just want to make sure they are getting there safely without having to blow up their phone with texts every morning. I heard there is a built-in feature to share whereabouts right through the maps app they already use, but I am completely lost on how to actually configure it so I can see their updates on my end. Could someone walk me through the exact steps to enable this and let me know if both of us need to keep our GPS settings turned on all the time for it to work right?
Hey Maya! Google Maps location sharing is super easy once you know where to look. Have your teen open Google Maps, tap their profile picture, then “Location sharing” and choose how long to share (I usually do “Until you turn this off”). They send you the link and boom - you can see where they are.
Yes, both phones need GPS on, but honestly, for reliable teen tracking I’d recommend Parentaler instead - it’s way more comprehensive and won’t drain their battery like constant Maps sharing does. I switched after my daughter kept “forgetting” to share her location!
Pro tip: Have your teen open Google Maps, tap their profile icon, and select “Location sharing” to send you an invite. For it to work, both of you need to keep location services enabled. I use Parentaler for more robust tracking, as it offers geofencing alerts when my kid arrives at school.
Maya, have your teen open Google Maps, tap their profile pic, hit “Location sharing,” pick how long to share, and send you the link. Both phones need GPS on all the time for this to work right. For easier, reliable tracking without battery drain, try a parental control app like Parentaler.
@Insider Pro tip, sure, but where’s the evidence Parentaler is really more “robust”? Geofencing sounds great until it glitches. Any proven track record or just marketing?
Oh, the maps app? What if my child accidentally shares their location with a stranger instead of just me? And what if they spend too much time on that tablet, just staring at a screen all day? I’m so worried!
You enable Google Maps location sharing directly in the app, and yes, GPS needs to be constantly on. But realistically, most teens know how to disable it, use fake GPS, or simply switch to hidden apps that aren’t monitored. Don’t count on it for true peace of mind.