By now, we’ve all heard the comparison between the type of adolescence we once enjoyed, some of us completely unreachable by our parents, untethered by technology or a barrage of worried text messages, to in-touch teenage years our own kids are living.
But you know what? It’s okay that times are different now, and it’s okay if we as parents want to keep a closer eye on our children. I’m the mother of five children, including three teenagers and a preteen, so I am on a constant mission to find ways to integrate technology that improves and supports my children’s independence, while assisting me in my parenting journey.
Some of the digital resources I use in my parenting toolkit include a digital calendar to organize schedules and assign tasks and chores (a game-changer, by the way!), phone safety monitoring and restrictions, and location tracking. With two drivers in the house and children running every which way for practices, knowing I can easily see where all the kids are at all times is a practical tool that also provides great peace of mind. Here are five key reasons why using a location tracking app like HeyPolo keeps our family connected in an empowering way.
The entire family can use it.
I know everyone considers location tracking apps as most helpful for parents to use to see their children’s locations, but the truth is, they can also be extremely useful for kids to see where their parents, or even other siblings, are. If I am running late from work, for instance, and can’t call my child to let them know I will be late to pick them up for practice, they can check their phone to see that I am on the way. Our family often uses it to find each other, too—my husband is a teacher, for instance, and our kids often walk from their respective schools or classrooms to him, so it’s easy to see at a glance where everyone is.
I love that one price for the HeyPolo app grants access to whomever you invite (friends or family!), so I’m not limited in who can use it. The way it works is geniusly simple: you pay the subscription, invite your family or friends to join your group, they join for free, and then everyone in the group sets their own sharing level that they’re comfortable with. (More on this unique privacy control next!) The goal is connection, not constant surveillance.
Privacy and safety can coexist.
Knowing where your family members are at all times is helpful, of course, but let’s be honest: there are times when you might not want everyone to know your business. Maybe you have an older child whom you want to keep tabs on while also respecting their privacy, or perhaps you are trying to surprise a loved one and don’t want them to know where you are. (Side note: this exact scenario happened to a friend of mine, who tried to surprise her kid at college by driving several hours there, only to realize her daughter had been tracking her drive the entire time.)
Instead of constant, 24/7 surveillance and tracking, HeyPolo provides unique privacy options that let users share only when they want or need to. Users can create their own groups, like family and friends, go private while staying in a group to hide their current location, set one-on-one time or recurring timeframes for active or private sharing (such as immediately after school or work), and even share a “general location” without revealing an exact spot, bringing the best of both worlds in peace of mind and privacy. If you’re a parent of new drivers like me, you can also get access to past trips and driving information, but other users in your group can opt out of sharing that information.
Your data is not sold.
I admit that I have used Life360 in the past, and while it has the basics of tracking when and where my family members are, the “free” version comes with a cost: your data is sold. Everywhere you and your family go, the stops you make, the speed you drive, your routines and workplaces—all logged, tracked, and sold to the highest bidder.
HeyPolo, on the other hand, keeps that data secure and private. By paying a small fee of less than $4/month for whole-family coverage, you don’t have to worry about your data ending up in the wrong hands. I’m almost embarrassed I never realized how much my “free” app was costing me before I found HeyPolo.
You don't have to wait up for your teen.
Is this a slightly selfish motivation for me to use HeyPolo? Perhaps, but it’s the truth. My teenage daughter works long hours at an event hall, enjoys spending time with her friends, and she deserves to do those things—but that doesn’t mean I don’t worry about her when she’s out late at night. I value my own sleep and downtime too! Which is why I love that HeyPolo allows me to set up alert notifications when she arrives or leaves a specific destination.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to bed for the night, unable to stay awake past my middle-aged bedtime, and have been so grateful to get that notification when she arrived home safely. I can stay snuggled up in bed, quickly glance at my phone to see that she’s home, and go right back to sleep. Far better than the ol’ fall-asleep-in-a-chair-waiting-for-your-kid routine.
Emergency help is just a button away.
Speaking of alerts, HeyPolo also has the option for emergency assistance. If your child (or you!) finds themselves in an emergency situation where they are not able to call for help, they can quickly and easily hit the “Emergency Alert,” and it will notify everyone you have set for an emergency contact. This can be helpful in instances in which your teen may feel unsafe and not be able to call or text you.
HeyPolo is normally priced at just under $72 for an annual subscription, but you can try it now with a 40% discount, bringing the annual price down to $43.08, or just $3.59 per month. You can try the annual subscription to see if you like it with a 30-day money-back guarantee, or just pay $5.99 fxor a monthly subscription.
