How can I locate my child using my phone?

Children's safety is one of families' greatest concerns. As they grow up and start to have more independence – walking to school on their own, going to after-school activities or spending time with friends – many parents wonder: how can I locate my child by phone safely and without invading their privacy?

Locating your child by phone: advantages and limitations

The mobile phone is, in principle, the most direct solution for staying in touch. However, giving a smartphone to a child at an early age raises several problems:

• Unsupervised access to the Internet.
• Use of social networks such as TikTok or Instagram, which are not designed for children.
• Constant distractions that interfere with school and family life.
• Exposure to cyberbullying or inappropriate content.

That is why more and more experts recommend delaying the first mobile phone and opting for alternatives designed specifically for children. According to a recent study by SaveFamily, 7 out of 10 parents admit that their children get irritated when digital devices such as phones or tablets are taken away from them.

This finding reinforces the importance of looking for in-between alternatives, such as children's GPS watches, which offer communication and safety without encouraging dependence on screens.

An alternative: smartwatches with GPS

Children's GPS watches have become a key tool for locating children without needing to give them a mobile phone.

These devices allow you to:

• Know where your child is in real time thanks to geolocation.
• Set up safe zones with automatic alerts.
• Get in touch with them through calls or video calls (they will only be able to do so with authorised contacts).
• Activate the SOS button, which calls up to three emergency numbers set by the parents, one after another.

From the SaveFamily app, parents can locate their child by phone in seconds, review their journeys and decide which features to enable or disable (such as secure WhatsApp or games).

A practical example: SaveWatch Plus 2

A model such as the SaveWatch Plus 2 GPS watch brings all these features together in an ultra-slim design that is comfortable for children aged 8 and over. As well as advanced geolocation (GPS + WiFi + LBS), it incorporates:

• Complete parental controls from the app.
• Video calls and secure WhatsApp, which can be enabled only if the parents decide to.
• Configurable class mode, in which only the time, GPS location and the SOS button will work, thereby avoiding distractions in the school setting.
• Anti-bullying mode, from which parents can activate a call to the watch if they suspect their child is being bullied, in order to listen to or see what is happening around them.

In this way, locating the child is done quickly, but without exposing them to the risks of a conventional smartphone.

Locating your child without bringing the phone forward

At a time when most children get their first phone before the age of 10, GPS watches represent a genuine alternative for delaying the entry into the world of the mobile phone.

In addition, they offer an added advantage:

• They have no social networks.
• They are intuitive and easy for little ones to use.
• They make it possible to establish digital safety habits from an early age.

We also recommend reading: 5 benefits of GPS smartwatches vs mobile phones for children.

If you are wondering how to locate your child by phone, the answer may not lie in giving them a smartphone too soon, but in going for a solution suited to their age.

Children's GPS watches, such as the SaveWatch Plus 2, allow parents to keep their peace of mind and children to gain independence without unnecessary risks.

In short: locating, communicating and protecting, all from a secure app designed for families.