FACEOFF: LIFE360

Should parents use Life360 to track their kids?

FACEOFF

With Atlanta being one of the sex trafficking capitals of the world, safety is a huge concern and a primary reason for parents to track their children. In today's dangerous world, it is crucial that someone knows where you are, whether it be friends or parents. Recently, a seventeen-year-old girl was driving when her car rolled three times down a woody embankment, hidden from people passing by. She was pinned under her car for seven hours with her phone out of reach. Thankfully she had her location shared with her parents and friends, and they were able to track her and save her life. Similarly, tracking apps can prevent kidnapping, rape or even murder; parents can use Life360 to help save teens lives. For example, a young woman who was kidnapped and gagged against her will was able to contact her mom who then used the tracking app to find and save her. The current perils of kidnapping and rape pose a serious threat for teens, so it is crucial for someone to have access to your location at all times. Also, apps like Life 360 have crash detection technology and can alert families and roadside assistance for drivers in accidents. It is not just parents that use tracking apps, friends also use them to form Life360 ‘circles’ or share locations through ‘Find My Friends.’ You can obtain directions to your friends, help with carpooling and build relationships. Tracking apps are tremendously helpful for finding your lost iPhone, and can even make a noise even if your phone is shut off. For phones that cost over a thousand dollars, it seems obviously necessary to track it in some fashion. Continuously, there is the issue of theft. Cars get stolen with phones inside and can be easily tracked by a loved one. That's thousands of dollars protected by sharing location with parents. Nevertheless, many parents like to text their kids if they are ‘on the way’ but with shared locations, the parent could know that information without the danger of texting while driving, which kills thousands of teens each year. Essentially, sharing locations between parents and teens saves lives — and money. Teens argue that it hinders their ‘freedom,’ but just because their location is shared does not mean that they cannot do anything. What is the worst that can happen if parents know their child's battery? There's no video camera watching teens every move. It’s like a lifeline for teens and their phones. Parents are not watching exactly what they are doing on their phones, or even who they are with. But at least they know their baby is safe and sound, not kidnapped in some pedophiles basement, hours away. YES: ANNABELLE BUCHANAN, staff writer

Although location sharing can be beneficial for easing parental concerns about teenagers’ safety, Life360 is not a viable solution to the problem. The application allows parents to track location, current battery percentage, the speed at which their teenagers are driving and more. Users can even pay for a premium version with extra features including phone protection and “expanded circles.” The company claims to bring families closer together and ensure security, but the invasive app does the exact opposite; it causes unnecessary stress and eliminates independence. High school students are inherently supposed to make mistakes. It’s how they grow. But when parents watch and control their kids’ every move like hawks, they take away their kids’ ability to practice independence. Studies show that when parents have direct access to their child’s life, the child is more likely to rebel because they fear any wrong move may induce punishment. However, when given leeway to go about their day without worrying about being tracked, teenagers are more willing to share their intentions with their parents. “WIRED” interviewed several teens with Life360 who explained their desire to rebel was strictly a result of the harsh rules set in place for them. The application clearly fosters an unhealthy and often “sneaky” relationship between parents and kids, but the practicality is not the only issue. The application also introduces a moral dilemma. Is closely monitoring a high school student’s life acceptable? Many of the people tracked on Life360 are over the age of sixteen. They can drive. They are two years away from being eligible to vote. They are getting ready to move out, attend college and start a life of their own. Should these mature, almost-adults relinquish their freedom to an app? No. Teenagers in today’s generation are already under enough stress with college applications, school classes, extracurriculars and social media. Their personal life should remain just that: personal. Life360’s extensive features are far too invasive. If teenagers need to stop and get gas on the way home, they should feel comfortable doing so and explaining their late arrival to their parents after the fact. They should not worry about the notice sent to their entire family, notifying their “circle” that they took an unusual detour and are running late. The incessant need to track a child’s every move is validated through Life360. Parents claim that Life360 is crucial for safety, but their argument is invalid. Location tracking apps or even location sharing through Apple is more than sufficient. Users of Life360 must step back and evaluate the situation they are creating; would you want someone else to have access to every move you make? Until recently, the only people monitored this way were those who were incarcerated. DANI BLANK, editor-in-chief NO: