So my son just passed his driving test yesterday and my wife and I bought him a new VW Passat. Driving him around to and from practices, friends houses, school events, sports stuff, etc had become too much for us.
So my question for you is - have you used any kind of GPS system or app to track the driving of your teenager? Any suggestions? I don't want to be overbearing about it and he's a great kid - we totally trust him, hence the car. But I would like to know how he's driving when I'm not around.
I heard Verizon makes some sort of tracker and based on driving habits can actually lower your insurance rate.
We use it more so we know where they are - teens are lousy at communicating, our rule - we pay cellphone bill, you keep tracker on.
For a while we did use the driving feature - tracks speed and sudden stops. Got to see I was actually married to Danica Patrick!
Google maps will let you track but does not work nearly as well.
If that's what you meant AnnapolisMike
the only drawback to Life360 we have found is it eats up battery.
“Find iPhone” is much more accurate.
I have been using these two apps to help my wife for a couple of years now because she has early onset Alzheimers.
If you would be creeped out by another person tracing your every move, why would you do that to your own children?
If you would be creeped out by another person tracing your every move, why would you do that to your own children?
Creeped out b/c I want to keep an eye on my 16 year old son and make sure his driving habits are good? Ok guy.
And yes, you're the only person here that thinks this is offensive.
My parents should be glad they did not put one on my car...would have been very disappointing to them
Got a used car for my daughter...it has gotten totally dinged up in the High School parking lot
I don't look at it as invasive, but as liberating. I trust my daughter to be able to make her own decisions, but if I need to get a hold of her or get worried for any reason, I'm able to check and see what she's up to.
What's not to love about that?
Having said that - I definitely don't broadcast my own location even though my wife has asked me to several times. Sorry - I find marital harmony requires some level of independence, and it's higher than having to explain every move I make all day long.
Quote:
is buying a 16 year old a new car.
Got a used car for my daughter...it has gotten totally dinged up in the High School parking lot
Yeah, I went with an old, used pickup which all five of my children drove through high school. Dinged already I haven't worried each time one of them banged it up.
Plus, it gets terrible gas mileage, and they know they have to pay for their own gas. That's a great way to teach them to think about hidden expenses before they get out on their own.
If that's what you meant AnnapolisMike
the only drawback to Life360 we have found is it eats up battery.
It is, and we do broadcast our location to the kids too. We share thru Google maps and life360. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. It's actually nice pulling up an application and seeing that everyone is where they should be. Regarding battery life...yep...just like any other application it uses battery life. But not excessively much as long as the phone is relatively newer. It is my 5th largest battery draining application.
Best parts are tracking speed and phone use while driving. I know not to call my kid when he is driving as well.
It's CPO - relax smart guy.
I was watching a game a couple Saturdays ago ... I texted my sis to see if my niece was at the game I had on my TV (her school, playing at home) and my sis lamented that she thought so? But wasn't sure because she apparently had "turned her phone off."
Later, my niece said her battery died. But either way, apparently if the phone is off, the tracking doesn't work?
I don't know.
I've been tempted. But MOST of the time I trust our daughter, and all the time I trust our son, so I never have.
-is buying a 16 year old a new car
-bought a used car for my daugher
- I went with an old, used pickup
Not to miller, but what happened to having to buy your own car
Quote:
is buying a 16 year old a new car.
-is buying a 16 year old a new car
-bought a used car for my daugher
- I went with an old, used pickup
Not to miller, but what happened to having to buy your own car
He's making the payments - I put money down to help him out.
Holy shit some of you guys are dry gashes.
There are also hardware devices to use if you don't want to have the phone do the dirty work, has anyone used any of those?
DonQuixote : 2:17 pm : link : reply
that finds the entire thing offensive?
If you would be creeped out by another person tracing your every move, why would you do that to your own children?
I know people who use apps like that to track things because their kids work late at night and they want to make sure they are safe.
It isn't a stranger tracking things - it is the parent.
It is much more offensive to me that certain adults don't understand the reasons.
Fucker!!
Quote:
Am I the only person here
DonQuixote : 2:17 pm : link : reply
that finds the entire thing offensive?
If you would be creeped out by another person tracing your every move, why would you do that to your own children?
I know people who use apps like that to track things because their kids work late at night and they want to make sure they are safe.
It isn't a stranger tracking things - it is the parent.
It is much more offensive to me that certain adults don't understand the reasons.
Exactly. The kid works from 6am to 4pm on Saturdays and late on Sunday nights.
People would rather show their ignorance and stupidity rather than just keep their sewers shut. Weird.
Fucker!!
Seems to be a whole new crop of mental defectives running around here these days. Where the hell do they all come from?
Is the guy whose dad was robbing old people still around?
Weird take.
Weird take.
I would guess that he has no children.
Or is one.
In 13 years maybe it won’t be taboo and/or maybe kids won’t care, but I sure as heck wouldn’t have wanted my parents tracking me.
It does. And it's not forever. The kid has a very bright future and already has offers to play ball at the next level as a 16 year old. But he really wants to hold out and wrestle in college. He's an absolute monster (just like his old man, 20 years ago! haha).
It is not a bad idea for the 1st year. 16 yr olds will do silly things without thinking. After a year the settle out with driving. Not bad having them think ma and pa are watching.
Presume NY has time limits for young drivers - 6 am to 10 pm or so for a 16 yr old???
It is not a bad idea for the 1st year. 16 yr olds will do silly things without thinking. After a year the settle out with driving. Not bad having them think ma and pa are watching.
Presume NY has time limits for young drivers - 6 am to 10 pm or so for a 16 yr old???
He's aiming at state this year. We'll see after that.
9p in NY is standard with one non family driver. Crazy to have a kid driving around town.
Add to that, to a varying degree, our sons are boneheads. Typical, forgetful male teens.
I've had instances where I show up for a soccer game or tennis match, empty field. Empty court.
We'll try to plan meals or pickup times based on bus arrivals at the school. 'CALL US WHEN YOU LEAVE' - HA. Good luck getting that call!
There's also a matter of cell coverage - spotty in many regions up here.
Life 360 doesn't cure it all - but it helps a TON.
And I don't give a shit if they or my wife can see where I am. I've got nothing to hide.
It wasn't. One of our son's soccer teammates found it, pocketed it intending to return it, but then got in a pickup game of soccer on the HS field. What we were seeing on Life360 was our sons phone running all over the soccer field.
Funny, but he was able to easily locate his friend and the phone out on the field by monitoring it on his brothers phone.
Very slick technology... when used for good. :D
He has had an Uber account for several years. I understand there is an age restriction for Uber, but that's never been a problem.
He can go and do whatever he wants, plus I can tell where he's been by tracking Uber.
I'm trying to figure out how much money this has saved us. Its alot
He has had an Uber account for several years. I understand there is an age restriction for Uber, but that's never been a problem.
He can go and do whatever he wants, plus I can tell where he's been by tracking Uber.
I'm trying to figure out how much money this has saved us. Its alot
My daughter's off to school in 2 years, and likely going away. I didn't want her to have to rely on Uber, etc. - she should know how to drive a car, in case she needs to rent one, or decides she wants one to get around on/off campus.
Here in NYC she sure as hell doesn't need a car (and I'm not buying her one, she can use one of ours), but there's no harm in having a license, and better to learn while young than having to pick it up when you're older.
I'm not so worried about them driving drunk, but getting in a car with someone who has (and them a little).
I just never considered it a realistic alternative to driving for my teenage kids (who just turned 16, so won't be driving for 6 months or so).
As you mention (the person who posted about uber) technically though, until you're 18 you aren't legally allowed to use uber - even just as a rider - you need an adult to accompany you. sure you may not run into issues (especially in suburbia), but you can.
Quote:
Am I the only person here
DonQuixote : 2:17 pm : link : reply
that finds the entire thing offensive?
If you would be creeped out by another person tracing your every move, why would you do that to your own children?
I know people who use apps like that to track things because their kids work late at night and they want to make sure they are safe.
It isn't a stranger tracking things - it is the parent.
It is much more offensive to me that certain adults don't understand the reasons.
Dude, I asked if I am the only one, and apparently I am the only one that finds this offensive. I understand the reasoning, I just think it's wrong.
I have multiple kids/stepkids driving in HS, into and graduated college. They have had as a group, two minor accidents. I recommend a slow/safe/unsporty car. I ask them where they are going and sniff their breath and it never occurred to me that I would ever follow them around. But then again, I never read their email or read diaries or listened to phone conversations either. I just feel like you have to set up a system of trust at some point. Set up boundaries and expect those boundaries to be pressed, but tracking their movements is creepy. Just my opinion man...
Quote:
why taking an active interest in your child's safety is creepy.
Weird take.
I would guess that he has no children.
Or is one.
Wrong on both counts.
Quote:
you and the wife peace of mind, then do it. We did not track the kids, but had them say where they were going. I did think about, though.
It does. And it's not forever. The kid has a very bright future and already has offers to play ball at the next level as a 16 year old. But he really wants to hold out and wrestle in college. He's an absolute monster (just like his old man, 20 years ago! haha).
By the way, I also think it's offensive to post pictures of your minor children on the internet.
I would never spy on my kids because I treat them with respect and have created a culture of graduated independence. I would never post their pictures on a message board. That is ridiculous.
That respect I gave my kids is now being reciprocated. That is my experience. You can call me stupid or an idiot all you want.
The responses for apps like life 360 are just showing WHERE they are and tells nothing about their driving.... correct?
The responses for apps like life 360 are just showing WHERE they are and tells nothing about their driving.... correct?
No, Life360 shows their speed, if they are using a cell phone, how much battery they have left on their cell phone, etc. and much more - there is a free vs paid version that enables and disables some of the features. It also shows any police activity in their area, crimes that are being reported or have been committed in their area, as well as any known sex offenders in their area (that live or work).
these apps are not about spying. My kids aren't even driving yet and they have them on their phone, it's about their safety. Plans change, things happen, I'm comfortable knowing as responsible as my kids are, technology is a backup to let me know they're safe.
but regardless the height of douchiness and arrogance is telling someone else what they should or shouldn't do as a parent (not you Eric). Yeah, you raised a kid or some, there is no one way to parent that is better than another. every child, parent, and situation is different. And every parent has a right to make decisions they feel are the best for their family.
Google fake GPS or something like that?
Cool. Thanks for the advice, dad.
Quote:
and you disagree with my opinion about how wrong it is, at least be aware that the kids fake their locations regularly. My kids didn't have to, but they were also free to talk to me about it and their friends all did. Google fake GPS iphone or something like that...
Google fake GPS or something like that?
Cool. Thanks for the advice, dad.
I am so sorry my message was unclear.
You go to google.
You enter the search terms, fake GPS iphone, or something similar.
You will find lots of ways to circumvent your surveillance. I was just adding this for your benefit as a note of precaution.
My kids talked about their friends being surveilled and how they did their workarounds. Of course, my kids were not being surveilled so they felt free to discuss all these issues with me, which is how I know that kids cheat.
But you can go on telling me I’m out of touch or stupid or an idiot.
I am not telling you how to parent. I am just saying the surveillance is potentially harmful. Do what you want and best to you.
My children aren't driving yet so I can't say for certain but if I had to guess I doubt I will electronically track them when they do. But I certainly wouldn't criticize any parent for choosing to. Each parent understands his/her situation and is in the best position to determine what's best for their child.
Your passive aggressive I'm the better parent shtick makes you come off the exact apposite.
And all parents aren't the same in how they bring up their kids so put down your stupid pitchforks if someone doesn't happen to see it the same way...lord.