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cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/37022405

This is a carrier in the USA (T-Mobile).

I did a quick search for the other 2 carriers using the term "[Carrier Name] Family Tracking" and Verizon and AT&T also seems to have it.

And according to https://www.t-mobile.com/support/plans-features/t-mobile-familywhere-app, it says:

FamilyWhere uses geolocation data from the T-Mobile network and is not affected by changes to device location settings.

So it appears that its using cell tower triangulation. Turning on Airplane Mode should stop it (assuming there isn't a separate tracking app on your phone)

Oh Wow, What a wonderful tool for abusive spouses and abusive parents. And telecom companies are making money off of it. πŸ™ƒ

TLDR: Its a good idea to get your own separate cellular plan.

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[-] Ledivin@lemmy.world 15 points 3 days ago

If we didn't have this, my kids would have a lot less freedom. Knowing where they are gives me much more peace of mind to let them roam further, and for longer than I would otherwise πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ

aaand next time they'll leave their cell phone home to not get tracked, so not only do you not get their location, they can't even call you in an emergency

good parenting, i guess

[-] Ledivin@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

And then they'll be grounded πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ rules exist for a reason

[-] LinkOpensChest_wav 21 points 3 days ago

I understand wanting to do this as a parent, but I'm so thankful I grew up without cell phones. I would never track a teenager. I feel like teenagers need space to assert their own autonomy and form an identity apart from their parents. When I think of the best moments I had with friends, it's almost always something that would have technically gone against my parents' knowledge and wishes, even though my parents were very good to me overall.

Who said anything about teenagers? Kids too young to be left without supervision can now learn independence. So kids can be more independent at younger age compared to "good old times"!

[-] phase@lemmy.8th.world 2 points 2 days ago

So geolocation would be supervision. Interesting.

[-] LinkOpensChest_wav 3 points 3 days ago

I led with understanding, and I'm the one who mentioned teenagers in the comment I wrote with my own two hands

[-] comrade_twisty@feddit.org 17 points 3 days ago

I grew up in a time before cell phones, I had a lot more freedom than your kids will ever experience. Crime rates were much higher back then by the way. I still survived even though my parents rarely knew where I was between 4 and 6 pm, but I was always home in time for dinner.

[-] entwine413@lemm.ee 16 points 3 days ago

Your experience isn't necessarily universal.

[-] comrade_twisty@feddit.org 6 points 3 days ago

For my generation it’s close to universal

[-] Ledivin@lemmy.world 15 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Several kids from my elementary school disappeared, never to be heard from again. This happened again in middle school, and twice in high school.

Just because you weren't paying attention back then or don't remember now doesn't mean it didn't happen. As you said, crime was worse then.

Basically any time someone says "This didn't happen back in my day!" the response can be "the dead ones can't talk about it."

[-] swelter_spark@reddthat.com 1 points 2 days ago

When children are kidnapped, the kidnapper is most often a family member. It happened to a good friend of mine. I don't see what good cell phone location tracking really does against that, though. A kidnapper can simply take a child's phone away and toss it.

[-] entwine413@lemm.ee 2 points 3 days ago

Good ol rose colored glasses.

[-] entwine413@lemm.ee 4 points 3 days ago

That's not how anecdotal evidence works. Just because you aren't aware of it being different for others doesn't mean it wasn't different for others.

[-] RaoulDook@lemmy.world 16 points 3 days ago

My kids don't even have phones, as they do not need them and they are unhealthy for the young brain's development.

I also don't use location services on my phones. Fuck all that tracking bullshit.

[-] user224@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

A cheap dumbphone could come in handy at almost any age* (calls, short SMS, especially in emergency situations). Though there is a possibility they wouldn't want to be seen with that. Kids will bully each other for whatever isn't a norm.
Anyway, preferably a simpler one. I used to spend hours each day on Java games. Really, the only thing that stopped me was headaches.

* Almost any - you don't want a 3 year old calling 911 for fun

this post was submitted on 30 Apr 2025
261 points (100.0% liked)

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