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I need an app that will allow me to track my kids Moto Droid. Not just his current position but track where he has been as well. I need to be able to access this info from my Incredible or from a computer over the internet. Is there anything like this out there?
I don't care if it costs a little $ as long as it works. It needs to be able to run without his noticing it.
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I'm not judging--if i were, i would've called you a coward.
I'm saying--there is a better solution, and it's called parenting. (ok, maybe that was a little judgmental). And, this is coming from experience, my parents didn't want to have the open communication thing--they ended up with two teenagers who were a mess as a result.
I'm not judging--if i were, i would've called you a coward.
I'm saying--there is a better solution, and it's called parenting. (ok, maybe that was a little judgmental). And, this is coming from experience, my parents didn't want to have the open communication thing--they ended up with two teenagers who were a mess as a result.
You are making the assumption that I am a bad and/or lazy parent. you know nothing about me or my situation. So just to try to get a little help here I will give you some info. I have three boys, two of which are Eagle Scouts, do well in school and are very successful, due in part to my active role in their lives. The third has actually received more attention than the other two put together. He has made one poor choice after another despite my and his mother's best efforts(never divorced). He has been into drugs and other criminal behavior. We are making one last effort to turn him around before he turns 18 and can leave on his own. So now that I have shared all of that I think that it's only fair that you either withhold further judgments, or offer up your qualifications to be making said judgments. Communication only works when both parties are honest, and I need to know if he is being honest, as I have reason to believe he is not.
As for the legality of what I want to do? In my state a minor child has no privacy rights from their parents, as the parents are legally liable for the child's behavior. Also I own the phone that I wish to track.
Now maybe we can quit trying to judge whether or not I am a fit parent and get back to the purpose of this thread.
You are making the assumption that I am a bad and/or lazy parent. you know nothing about me or my situation. So just to try to get a little help here I will give you some info. I have three boys, two of which are Eagle Scouts, do well in school and are very successful, due in part to my active role in their lives. The third has actually received more attention than the other two put together. He has made one poor choice after another despite my and his mother's best efforts(never divorced). He has been into drugs and other criminal behavior. We are making one last effort to turn him around before he turns 18 and can leave on his own. So now that I have shared all of that I think that it's only fair that you either withhold further judgments, or offer up your qualifications to be making said judgments. Communication only works when both parties are honest, and I need to know if he is being honest, as I have reason to believe he is not.
As for the legality of what I want to do? In my state a minor child has no privacy rights from their parents, as the parents are legally liable for the child's behavior. Also I own the phone that I wish to track.
Now maybe we can quit trying to judge whether or not I am a fit parent and get back to the purpose of this thread.
Very well said. I feel that people are way too quick to jump on the judgmental train without knowing the full story. People think "Oh this person is just trying to be too overprotective/nosey" and spout off their own opinions without giving real thought to what might be going on, or why a solution like this might be needed.
Unfortunately, I do not have any applications to recommend to you. However, I can certainly empathize to your concerns and I hope you are able to come up with a solution.
[QUOTE=admile3;903275]Very well said. I feel that people are way too quick to jump on the judgmental train without knowing the full story. People think "Oh this person is just trying to be too overprotective/nosey" and spout off their own opinions without giving real thought to what might be going on, or why a solution like this might be needed.
Thank you it is frustrating, especially since I need an app like this because I am a concerned parent.
I am not sure if there are any unnoticed ones, but there are lots of ways to do it with a running app, or even those ones that will send you the location of the device with a text message to it.
I will want to do something like this one day when my child is older. If there isn't some program specifically designed, I'll turn one on the phone and tell them if they turn it off they are grounded. :-) A parent has the right, nay, obligation to know where their minor children are at all times.
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I am pretty sure you can set up google lattitude on his phone. he will have to have location on at all times though for it to work. If he turns it off to E911, then you wont be able to see him.
You will also need to have google lattitude on your phone and have him under your buddy list and everything. his face/name will pop under google maps, but this is if his location is set to on and not to E911.
Last edited by newjacksm; June 9th, 2010 at 12:16 PM.
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Communication only works when both parties are honest, and I need to know if he is being honest, as I have reason to believe he is not.
Right im not being judgemental, and im sorry i cant offer any suggestions to apps. But you are contradicting yourself here, you say both parties need to be honest. Yet you want to spy on him, i agree with one of the above posters who said that you should install one of the other apps, and have a discussion with your child about it, asking them not telling them, to keep it on at all times.
You are making the assumption that I am a bad and/or lazy parent. you know nothing about me or my situation. So just to try to get a little help here I will give you some info. I have three boys, two of which are Eagle Scouts, do well in school and are very successful, due in part to my active role in their lives. The third has actually received more attention than the other two put together. He has made one poor choice after another despite my and his mother's best efforts(never divorced). He has been into drugs and other criminal behavior. We are making one last effort to turn him around before he turns 18 and can leave on his own. So now that I have shared all of that I think that it's only fair that you either withhold further judgments, or offer up your qualifications to be making said judgments. Communication only works when both parties are honest, and I need to know if he is being honest, as I have reason to believe he is not.
As for the legality of what I want to do? In my state a minor child has no privacy rights from their parents, as the parents are legally liable for the child's behavior. Also I own the phone that I wish to track.
Now maybe we can quit trying to judge whether or not I am a fit parent and get back to the purpose of this thread.
Nice. I notice TheSultan and other people quick to criticize quickly shut up after this was posted.
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Right im not being judgemental, and im sorry i cant offer any suggestions to apps. But you are contradicting yourself here, you say both parties need to be honest. Yet you want to spy on him, i agree with one of the above posters who said that you should install one of the other apps, and have a discussion with your child about it, asking them not telling them, to keep it on at all times.
This is an extreme situation, not just casual disobedience. Both the quality and existence of his life are on the line. Your advice would be great if this was the beginning of his trouble(We've been having discussions for years), but this situation is much farther along than that.
I am to the point of trust, but verify.
Last edited by wintersg3; June 9th, 2010 at 12:54 PM.
I've got to ask the question since so many think communication is the answer here. What do you do when communication fails? Repeatedly, for years.
I have followed advice for years now from other parents, therapists, cops, and the general public. It was only a couple of months ago that his DYS caseworker told me that it's not my "bad" parenting. I have two well adjusted, successful boys. They live in the same home, and go to the same school, and have the same opportunities as their brother, yet he is in trouble. Also he told me a "bad" parent would have given up a long time ago. He has NEVER worked with parents as involved as my wife and I. His mistakes are his own, not mine. I am far from perfect, but I'm still in there fighting for him after dealing with his problems for ten years now. If you have a similar situation I'll gladly listen to your advice, if not please save it cause you just don't understand. It is damn near impossible to help someone who doesn't want to be helped, but as a parent I can not give up, I have to do something.
I didn't exactly shut up, I went to lunch. Though I make every effort to read as much as possible, I do occasionally sign off this website and do other things. But, I'll welcome myself back to the thread.
I WAS your kid (the bad one), at exactly his age. My brother ended up being even worse than I ever was and went to prison. If you're a concerned parent, and your kid is doing the kind of stuff you say he is, tracking him ain't gonna do much. If he's doing the stuff I did at that age, I assure you, you don't WANT to know where he is. I'm not gonna pretend I know how to be a parent, but I damn well know how to be a f*cked up kid.
I'm sure parents think they can do things to keep their kids out of trouble--you can't--especially at that age. Tracking him won't do anything--except ROYALLY piss him off if he ever finds out. I'm sure there is nothing harder than watching your offspring screw up over and over, and I'm sorry you have to go through that, I am. It wasn't until much later that I was able to see what I put my folks through (nevermind even the rehab bills!).
As for the legal stuff, it'd be interesting to see what a lawyer would say. For instance, if you were able to see his current location, and knew what he was doing, and that was illegal--would you then be implicated to being an accessory to the crime? I have no idea, but the whole discussion is an interesting one.
BTW, why not just turn his phone off?? Make him get his own phone, start paying his bills, have something for a responsibility.
I really didn't mean for this thread to get so far off track, and I realize it's most likely my fault that it did, so I apologize. In the interest of getting this back on track, I welcome any discussion in PM in regards to the "off topic" stuff.
On Track: Google Latitude will work, but won't record where he's been, I believe that was one of the original requests.
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Winters3g - I totally understand your needs. I, too, am in a situation where I need to know where my ADD/ADHD child is - with his limited impulse control, I never know what might happen. TheSultan was the one to turn your need into a "spy mission". Stick to your guns.
I would also recommend Lattitude as a possible solution. Best of luck.
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I'm not judging--if i were, i would've called you a coward.
I'm saying--there is a better solution, and it's called parenting. (ok, maybe that was a little judgmental). And, this is coming from experience, my parents didn't want to have the open communication thing--they ended up with two teenagers who were a mess as a result.
The OP was asking for application advice not parenting advice or a lecture. This post's tone makes certain assumptions, however subtle, that are rude and unsubstantiated. Any further behavior like this will result in thread closure and infractions for problematic individuals. Fair warning...
Latitude would probably suffice. Also, Mobile Defense will show you a current location of a phone and allow you to interact with it through a browser. It erases itself from the app drawer after the initial setup so unless he checks his installed apps through the market or the applications menu he won't see it.
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Many of Verizon's feature phones offer a service called Family Locator, it not clear whether or not the service will work on the higher end smart phones like the Droid.
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Many of Verizon's feature phones offer a service called Family Locator, it not clear whether or not the service will work on the higher end smart phones like the Droid.
None of the smart phones are on the list of compatible phones for Family Locator.
None of the smart phones are on the list of compatible phones for Family Locator.
That's too bad. Sprint has Family Locator and it works on all the phones. I have it on my Evo and no, I didn't tell my son either and I don't believe he knows I'm running it.
I got the app because my son is a new driver and I wanted to check to make sure he arrived at his destinations safe and sound, but regardless, I think parents have every right and should spy on their kids once in awhile. Letting kids run around willy nilly without some boundaries and checking on them once in awhile is a recipe for disaster.
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I think Latitude will do for now, however I had another solution suggested that seemed a bit expensive and a bit more than I needed. Has anyone heard of Mobistealth? Not sure if it is for real or not.
Verizon has a Family locator as well, but I think it uses VZnavigator, so it wouldn't work on a Droid.
You could use MyTracks by Google, but of course your child could see it running and turn it off.
I've installed Mobile Defense, so if I loose my phone I can go to a website and see where my phone is. It doesn't show up in the installed apps, so you can't see that its installed. Of course that doesn't solve your tracking problem. You will just be able to see their current location.
You're going to have to have access to his phone anyways to install it, right? How would they not know about it? I know my parents wouldn't be able to access my phone without my permission, being that I have a passcode on it. No, I have nothing to hide. The passcode is more for if I happen to lose my phone or it gets stolen. I'd rather not have people screwing with it.
And your son sounds very similar to my brother. It seemed like nothing my parents would do worked. Eventually, it came down to sink or swim. Things finally began to change after he ended up tripping on a drug we have yet to find out about sitting in the middle of a highway with his car parked on the shoulder. He ended up with a felony but managed to get it dropped after hours of community service. The cop was nice and didn't give him resisting arrest.
Anyways, best of luck.
I guess I'd like to point out that I am 17 as well. If that makes my opinion have less merit, that's for you to decide. I don't think it should.
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They be like bob, what?
Last edited by jradicle11; June 9th, 2010 at 11:18 PM.
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I am not sure if there are any unnoticed ones, but there are lots of ways to do it with a running app, or even those ones that will send you the location of the device with a text message to it.
I will want to do something like this one day when my child is older. If there isn't some program specifically designed, I'll turn one on the phone and tell them if they turn it off they are grounded. :-) A parent has the right, nay, obligation to know where their minor children are at all times.
nice, take the trust factor out of it before they even get a chance to prove themselves.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wintersg3
I've got to ask the question since so many think communication is the answer here. What do you do when communication fails? Repeatedly, for years.
I have followed advice for years now from other parents, therapists, cops, and the general public. It was only a couple of months ago that his DYS caseworker told me that it's not my "bad" parenting. I have two well adjusted, successful boys. They live in the same home, and go to the same school, and have the same opportunities as their brother, yet he is in trouble. Also he told me a "bad" parent would have given up a long time ago. He has NEVER worked with parents as involved as my wife and I. His mistakes are his own, not mine. I am far from perfect, but I'm still in there fighting for him after dealing with his problems for ten years now. If you have a similar situation I'll gladly listen to your advice, if not please save it cause you just don't understand. It is damn near impossible to help someone who doesn't want to be helped, but as a parent I can not give up, I have to do something.
winters,
I have not a doubt in my mind that your a good parent. Just to offer a little something though. im 24 so i'm still a "kid" myself in your eyes. But being that age offers the chance to see both sides. I'm young enough to remember what and why i did things and old enough to now understand why my parents did what they did. Although this tracking program will in fact give you the answer to whether he/she is lying or not on where they are or have been, it still won't solve the root cause. IMO all this will do is further break down any trust that may be left and cause yet more acting out. I'm sure your at your witts end and looking to do something and i applaud you for going to such lengths, because i've personally seen parents that havent come close, but i wouldn't rely on a tracking program to be the solution to get things back on the right track. I don't really have any advice on how to handle your situation, i'm just trying to let you know what you might expect to come of using this. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor and hope things work out for the best for you and your family.
I am not familiar with these types of apps. But it did cross my mind that anything that is constantly running in the background tracking a phone is going to destroy his battery life... and you can't track a phone that's not on. Just something to keep in mind.
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How smart is this kid, anyway? If he is even a bit, he can root and uninstall anything you put on there or just wipe the whole phone and flash a custom ROM, the end.
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Slap the app on when it is bought and before you give it to them. Though with Android it would require for you to sign onto their account first...hmm.
The son already has the phone. It's not like they're going to reward him with a new phone just though they can install a tracking app without his knowledge.
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Slap the app on when it is bought and before you give it to them. Though with Android it would require for you to sign onto their account first...hmm.
The son already has the phone. It's not like they're going to reward him with a new phone just though they can install a tracking app without his knowledge.
Hm. From reading winters post I didn't see him stating the son already has the phone. He stated that he owns the phone he wants tracked, not the son. But I could have misunderstood.
In any event, I am not sure if software is the answer anyways. Pretty much any software can be removed if the son knows how to tweak his phone. Hardware is probably the answer if you really want to track someone.
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nice, take the trust factor out of it before they even get a chance to prove themselves.
winters,
I have not a doubt in my mind that your a good parent. Just to offer a little something though. im 24 so i'm still a "kid" myself in your eyes. But being that age offers the chance to see both sides. I'm young enough to remember what and why i did things and old enough to now understand why my parents did what they did. Although this tracking program will in fact give you the answer to whether he/she is lying or not on where they are or have been, it still won't solve the root cause. IMO all this will do is further break down any trust that may be left and cause yet more acting out. I'm sure your at your witts end and looking to do something and i applaud you for going to such lengths, because i've personally seen parents that havent come close, but i wouldn't rely on a tracking program to be the solution to get things back on the right track. I don't really have any advice on how to handle your situation, i'm just trying to let you know what you might expect to come of using this. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor and hope things work out for the best for you and your family.
No one said this was a solution to anything. It is a tool no more no less.
Quote:
Originally Posted by alecks2217
I am not familiar with these types of apps. But it did cross my mind that anything that is constantly running in the background tracking a phone is going to destroy his battery life... and you can't track a phone that's not on. Just something to keep in mind.
I will have to take my chances with that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by grainysand
How smart is this kid, anyway? If he is even a bit, he can root and uninstall anything you put on there or just wipe the whole phone and flash a custom ROM, the end.
He is not that technical minded. I wouldn't allow him to root it anyway, not til he can buy his own.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jradicle11
You're going to have to have access to his phone anyways to install it, right? How would they not know about it? I know my parents wouldn't be able to access my phone without my permission, being that I have a passcode on it. No, I have nothing to hide. The passcode is more for if I happen to lose my phone or it gets stolen. I'd rather not have people screwing with it.
Access won't be a problem.
And your son sounds very similar to my brother. It seemed like nothing my parents would do worked. Eventually, it came down to sink or swim. Things finally began to change after he ended up tripping on a drug we have yet to find out about sitting in the middle of a highway with his car parked on the shoulder. He ended up with a felony but managed to get it dropped after hours of community service. The cop was nice and didn't give him resisting arrest.
Anyways, best of luck.
I guess I'd like to point out that I am 17 as well. If that makes my opinion have less merit, that's for you to decide. I don't think it should.
Your opinion has value, but when you ask for trust after having betrayed that trust many times over, there are strings. Love is unconditional, but trust is not. Especially when you are of an age where you are wanting to drive your parents cars, have them pay for luxuries like a cell phone etc...
It's not so much about age as it is about being accountable for your actions. I understand the ethical problems some have with this type of thing, but as I see it my only other choices are to lock him up or let him do whatever he wants. Take into consideration that without my intervention he would already be locked in a state facility until he is 18 being raised at state expense. I put conditions on all the privileges that all of my kids get. They are to be earned, continuously, not just given blindly. This is the way the world works. If you want to keep your freedom you need to obey the law, or rules of our society. You break them and those that enforce those laws can put you under surveillance, or lock you away. If I had the resources to do it I'd put an ankle bracelet on him. Is this extreme? Definitely, but that's where things stand. Right now the only way to get him to behave is to create an environment where he can not get away with misbehaving. Not sure if I said before but he is ADHD, ODD, and has other issues to overcome as well. This is not an average situation. He is very much a creature of habit, to the point that if I can get him to create good habits they should carry on through his adult life. Giving him a chance at a productive and enjoyable life.
I'm not trying to be a dick or anything but how do we know if this is the real story. This guy could be an obsessed husband or boyfriend trying to track or spy on his wife or girlfriend. We can be helping some complete physco. I'm not saying that is what we are doing but we never know. Anybody can make up some story to get what they want. To the OP, good luck with WHATEVER you are trying to do. To the moderators, I think this thread needs to be closed for the possible safety of another person.
I'm not trying to be a dick or anything but how do we know if this is the real story. This guy could be an obsessed husband or boyfriend trying to track or spy on his wife or girlfriend. We can be helping some complete physco. I'm not saying that is what we are doing but we never know. Anybody can make up some story to get what they want. To the OP, good luck with WHATEVER you are trying to do. To the moderators, I think this thread needs to be closed for the possible safety of another person.
That's a little harsh.
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I'm not saying that is the situation, but the truth is we never know. We are here telling soming how to track another persoon location at all times. That is just wrong because we don't honestly know the real deal. We only know what we are being told and people can say anything. Just think about it.
So if someone asks you for directions somewhere. You're not going to help them because they could have the intent to rob the place, even if you don't know that is their intention? That's pretty faulty logic if you ask me.
I'm not trying to be a dick or anything but how do we know if this is the real story. This guy could be an obsessed husband or boyfriend trying to track or spy on his wife or girlfriend. We can be helping some complete physco. I'm not saying that is what we are doing but we never know. Anybody can make up some story to get what they want. To the OP, good luck with WHATEVER you are trying to do. To the moderators, I think this thread needs to be closed for the possible safety of another person.
When it comes down to it I asked how to track an android phone that I own. If you are going to jump to such conclusions and be so suspicious of my possible motives, then how can you even get online? In any thread on this forum you could be talking to some psycho with nefarious motives. Someone asking about a good app for a ToDo list could just wanting to get organized before committing one crime or another.
I am really quite shocked at the responses to this thread, many have tried to call me a bad parent, and now you are implying that I'm a Psycho or something. I just can't believe how many people are ready to get on their high horse and make judgments. Is this what this forum is really all about?
The one thing you are correct about is that you don't know, but this seems to have given you license to assume the worst.
I used to have a tracker on my Moment but I can't remember what I used...It was really good too, but try either find my droid or track my droid. Verizon I think has a family location app for the Droid.
And also, if it's his son that's under 18 that lives in his household, he has every right to track where he's at regardless of any type of situation. Doesn't matter to anyone except the parents if they think it's fair or unfair, he's under their custody.
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I asked this earlier and you didn't really answer. Aren't you going to have to get access to his phone to install the application? Wouldn't he know that you are installing the application even if you can find one that'll run without his knowledge?
Seems like there really isn't a way to track him via an application without his knowledge.
I think your best bet would be the Family Locator available through Verizon. You should be able to do that one without your son's knowledge. There is a monthly fee of $9.99 but you seem too dedicated for that to hinder your use (that sounded a tad sarcastic, that was not my intention).
"Peace of mind is right at your fingertips. Securely locate your family members' locations from your Verizon Wireless Device or the web. The locate feature provides you with the information you need to stay aware and stay in touch.
Provides detailed location information and the address of your family members displayed on an interactive map."
I am not familiar with these types of apps. But it did cross my mind that anything that is constantly running in the background tracking a phone is going to destroy his battery life... and you can't track a phone that's not on. Just something to keep in mind.
Mobile defense won't. It only connects to gps when you are tracking the phone. I installed it on my own phone in case I lose it because it also has a way of locking it out. I get company e-mail on my phone and can't let it fall into just anyone's hands. You would need access to his phone to install it.
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I asked this earlier and you didn't really answer. Aren't you going to have to get access to his phone to install the application? Wouldn't he know that you are installing the application even if you can find one that'll run without his knowledge?
Seems like there really isn't a way to track him via an application without his knowledge.
I think your best better would be the Family Locator available through Verizon. There is a monthly fee of $9.99 but you seem too dedicated for that to hinder your use (that sounded a tad sarcastic, that was not my intention).
"Peace of mind is right at your fingertips. Securely locate your family members' locations from your Verizon Wireless Device or the web. The locate feature provides you with the information you need to stay aware and stay in touch.
Provides detailed location information and the address of your family members displayed on an interactive map."
Hope this attempt to get back on topic helped you out.
Once again, good luck.
I stated earlier that access to the phone is not a problem, Family Locator would be great, but according to the Verizon website it is not available for smart phones.
I stated earlier that access to the phone is not a problem, Family Locator would be great, but according to the Verizon website it is not available for smart phones.
Oh, I'm sorry. That seems a little counterintuitive. All phones should be included in my opinion.
Downgrade him to a lesser device that is included?
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It looks like it has the features you're looking for, and also comes with a secondary uninstall protection app, so there is less chance of your son removing it. Though I haven't had to use all of the features (thankfully), what I have used works nicely.
While you can password protect entry to the application on the device, the downside is that if he gets curious and decides to Google it, he will likely be on to what you're doing...unless someone can chime in with a method for hiding apps from the tray/market, etc.
The other downside is that they now charge a subscription fee $20/yr.
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Best app for tracking kids?
instead of a retort.
