There are so many apps out there these days it’s hard to keep up.  But know that there are apps now to help you keep your children safe.  An article from Time Magazine lists the apps from ingenious to intrusive (top to bottom):

Promoting Safer Driving

SecuraFone can gauge how fast its user is moving and alert parents.  So, if your child is speeding, you can now know without having to be there or hearing about it second hand.  The Android version goes a step further and shuts down a phone’s texting abilities when it senses that the phone is going faster than 5 mph.

Eliminating Distractions

We know that smart phones are huge distractions, especially from things kids would rather not be doing (ie. homework, chores).  Mobiflock for Android allows parents to lock their child’s phone for a predetermined period of time.  Busy at work and can’t keep an eye on your kids to do school work?  Lock the phone from 4-7pm to make sure they get their homework done.

Tracking Whereabouts

GPS tracking apps can be installed so you know where your child is at any time.  Apps like Lookout, Footprints, and GPS Phone Tracker will follow the user so you don’t have to.  But remember, it only follows the phone, so if your child leaves it at home, then it’s not going to help.  The Life360 app can even show you how to avoid the homes of registered sex offenders.

Relaying Texts

You know how they say to be careful what you post on the internet?  Now you have to be careful what you text!  SMS Tracker for Android allows parents to see incoming and outgoing text messages and phone numbers.  Believe it or not, this app has already been downloaded more than half a million times. 

Learn more about parental controls here.