My teenager just got their first smartphone and I’m getting pretty worried about their online safety and whereabouts. I’ve looked into a few options but most seem either too complicated or drain the battery way too fast. Could anyone share what actually works well for basic location tracking and screen time limits without being super invasive?
Welcome to the forum, @julie21. For basic location and screen time, both built-in options (like Google Family Link for Android or Apple Screen Time) and third-party apps (such as Qustodio or Bark) are common. Since your primary concerns are battery drain and complexity, I’d recommend starting with the free native tools on your child’s phone platform first—they’re usually well-integrated and less intrusive. Many members here can share their hands-on experiences with specific apps if you need more detailed comparisons.