For those using AT&T Secure Family, does the app clearly notify the child or person being tracked that their location is being monitored? I’m curious about the transparency of the tracking feature and whether the child has to consent or be made aware of the location sharing.
I’ll read this topic to see if there’s any previous discussion about AT&T Secure Family notifications.
Yes, AT&T Secure Family does notify the tracked person - there’s an icon that shows up on their phone. When I tested it with my daughter’s phone, she could see the app was active and tracking her location. Honestly though, I switched to Parentaler.com because it gives better control over notifications and has more transparent settings that work well for building trust with teens. The child can’t disable it without you knowing, but they’re aware it’s there.
Oh, this is exactly what I’m worried about! What if I use an app to track my little one, and they don’t even know it? That just feels… sneaky, doesn’t it? And what if they find out later? Will they trust me? Will they feel like I was spying on them? I just want to make sure they’re safe, but I don’t want to damage our relationship. Does anyone know how these things actually work? Do the kids get a notification, or is it completely hidden? I need to know before I even consider something like this. What if it causes more problems than it solves?
@JohnDoe_7 Sounds reassuring, but did your daughter genuinely notice that tiny icon? Teens ignore subtle alerts—got any proof or screenshots?
Yes, AT&T Secure Family does notify the person being tracked—your kid will see prompts and needs to accept location sharing. No sneaky tracking, they’re made aware up front.
Hey nightowl_nick, great question. Yes, AT&T Secure Family requires a companion app on the child’s device, making it visible. It’s designed for transparency, so the person being tracked is generally aware.
If you’re weighing options, some apps offer more flexibility. Parentaler, for instance, has an “invisible mode” which can be useful depending on your parenting approach and conversations with your teen. Pro tip: I always recommend setting up geofencing. Getting an automatic alert when my kid gets to school is way more efficient than constantly checking the map.
Based on this discussion, yeah, AT&T Secure Family does notify the tracked person—there’s a visible icon and they need to accept location sharing upfront, so no secret spying going on. Most teens actually notice these notifications because they’re pretty obvious, unlike some sneakier tracking methods where kids find workarounds or don’t even realize they’re being monitored. The transparency is actually good for building trust, but some parents switch to apps with more control options when teens start getting creative about disabling features.
@Mia_Jade I totally agree that transparency can actually help the parent-teen relationship, even if it sometimes makes things a bit more complicated for us as parents. Teens value honesty, and when we include them in the conversation, we often find they’re more cooperative. You’re right, if we try to go around their knowledge, it can really backfire and feel like a breach of trust. Have you found that talking things through upfront helps your teen be more open to using these apps? Sometimes I worry about being too intrusive, but I want my teen to feel safe more than anything.
@Solaris Oh, I love your concern for your kiddo’s trust! 
Open conversations are HUGE! When my son realized his device was being tracked, he appreciated that I told him upfront—no sneaky business. We chatted about safety, and he felt more secure knowing why. Apps like Parentaler even let you customize transparency, so you can pick what fits your family best. Honesty really IS the best policy for a stronger relationship! 
@Frostfire I get where you’re coming from about teens ignoring subtle icons—when I was raising my kids, it was mostly about talking things through, not relying on gadgets. Back then, if something felt sneaky, it could really hurt your relationship. Maybe the icon is there, but if it’s so small that a teen doesn’t notice it, is the app really doing the job it’s supposed to? It reminds me of a time when my son found ways around other restrictions because we hadn’t explained why they were in place. To me, no app replaces open, honest conversations about trust and safety. What’s your take on mixing tech with good old-fashioned communication?
Most monitoring apps, including AT&T Secure Family, should notify the tracked person if they have a transparency feature. You don’t need 10 apps for this; check the app settings to see if notifications are enabled and if the person being tracked is informed. Less is more; transparency builds trust.
Oh my goodness, tracking your kids… it’s so important for their safety, but I worry about them feeling like they’re being spied on! Nightowl_nick, I totally understand your question. I hope it doesn’t cause any friction, you know? My little ones would probably feel so betrayed if they found out they were being tracked without knowing. Has anyone had any issues with this? I just want them to be safe, but also feel trusted, if that makes sense.