Find My Kids App Review: Is It the Best App to Monitor Children's Safety and Whereabouts?

As parents, we all know the constant worry that comes with letting our kids have more freedom. Whether they're walking to school or just spending time away from home, not knowing where they are or if they're safe can be stressful. It's a balancing act between giving them the independence they need and keeping them protected.

So, we reviewed the "Find My Kids" app.  It promises to ease our concerns with features like real-time location tracking and emergency alerts. But with so many options out there, is it really the best tool to keep track of our children's safety? Let's find out.

What Is Find My Kids App and How to Use It

The Find My Kids app is a parental control and GPS tracking tool designed to help parents monitor their children's whereabouts and ensure their safety. This app is ideal for parents who want to stay connected with their kids, track their location, monitor their online activities, and ensure their well-being without being overly intrusive.

Use Experience and Review for Find My Kids App Features

GPS Location Tracking

This allows parents to see the current location and location history of their child's device. Accuracy is crucial for this feature to be effective.

Feedback on this feature is generally positive, with users appreciating the ability to track their children's whereabouts accurately. However, some users have reported issues, such as exaggerated speed readings, which showed significantly higher speeds than actual.

Another user praised the accuracy and reliability of the location tracking, comparing it favourably against other apps like Verizon's family app.

In testing, the GPS tracking feature provided accurate location data and a detailed history of movements. However, the discrepancies in speed readings noted by some users were observed, indicating that while the feature is useful, it may not be perfect.

Listen to Surroundings

This feature allows parents to listen to the ambient sounds around their child's device, which can be crucial in situations where a child is unresponsive or potentially in danger.  

Reviews are mixed. Some users appreciate the ability to listen in, especially in emergencies. However, a recent update that alerts the child when this feature is activated has caused frustration among some parents. One user expressed concern that this notification could compromise the child's safety if they were in a dangerous situation.

The feature worked as intended, with clear audio quality, but the notification to the child does seem to undermine its discreet use. The ethical concerns and potential safety risks raised by users are valid and should be considered by parents when deciding how to use this feature.

Geofencing and Battery Notifications

Geofencing lets parents set up safe zones and receive alerts if their kid enters or leaves these areas. Battery Notifications keep parents informed about the battery level of their child's device, helping ensure that the device remains functional for communication and tracking.

Parents generally find these features reliable and useful, especially the geofencing alerts, which provide real-time updates on their child's movements. Battery notifications are seen as a practical tool for keeping devices charged and ready.

Both features performed reliably during testing. Geofencing was easy to set up, and notifications were timely. Battery alerts provided peace of mind, knowing that the device would remain powered on and trackable.

Loud and SOS Signal

This safety feature allows a child to send an SOS signal that makes their phone emit a loud sound, which is useful in emergencies where they need immediate attention.

Parents appreciate this feature for the added security it provides, with many noting that it is easy for children to use and can be critical in an emergency.

The SOS signal was loud and effective, as intended, providing a straightforward way for children to signal distress. This feature worked without issues and is a valuable part of the app's safety toolkit.

App Usage Report

The App Usage Report gives parents insight into which apps their child is using and how much time they spend on each, helping monitor screen time and online behaviour.

Many parents find this feature particularly useful for keeping track of their child's digital habits. However, some users have mentioned delays in the reporting, which can affect real-time monitoring.

The reports provided comprehensive details on app usage, although, as some users noted, there was a slight delay in updates. Despite this, the feature is useful for understanding and managing a child's screen time.

Block Unwanted Calls

This feature allows parents to block specific phone numbers from contacting their children, helping to protect them from unwanted or potentially harmful communications.

The call-blocking feature was easy to set up and worked effectively, ensuring only approved contacts could reach the child's phone.

Family Chat

The Family Chat feature enables family members to communicate through the app, providing a secure and centralised platform for messaging.

Families who use this feature appreciate the convenience of having a dedicated space for communication within the app. One user mentioned that it works well for keeping in touch with their child, providing reassurance and easy access to family members.

The chat function is straightforward and functional for basic communication needs. However, it might not replace more feature-rich messaging apps for those seeking more robust communication tools.

Find My Kids Pros and Cons Overview

The "Find My Kids" app is a valuable tool for parents who want to monitor and keep track of their children's safety and whereabouts. However, like any app, it comes with its own set of strengths and weaknesses. Below is an overview of the pros and cons of the app.

Pros:

• Accurate GPS Tracking: The app offers precise location tracking, allowing parents to monitor their child's real-time location and location history with accuracy.
• Comprehensive Safety Features: The app includes a variety of safety tools such as an SOS button, geofencing alerts, and the ability to trigger a loud signal remotely, all of which enhance child safety.
• Parental Control Capabilities: Parents can monitor screen time, app usage and even block unwanted calls, providing a balanced approach to supervision.
• Supports GPS Watches: In addition to smartphones, the app is compatible with GPS watches, offering flexible options for tracking.
• Family Chat Feature: The built-in chat function allows for secure communication between parents and children, helping families stay connected.
• Privacy and Security: The app is certified by the COPPA kidSAFE program and requires the child's consent to work, ensuring a transparent monitoring process.
• Free Basic Features: Basic tracking features, like monitoring a child's location, are available for free, which is beneficial for parents who are on a budget.

Cons:

• Limited Free Trial: While the app offers a free trial, it is time-limited, and many of the more advanced features require payment.
• Inconsistencies in Performance: Some users have reported issues with certain features, such as exaggerated speed readings or delayed updates in tracking, which can affect the app's reliability.
• Notification of Sound Listening: Recent updates alert the child when the "Listen to Surroundings" feature is activated, which can be counterproductive in situations where discreet monitoring is necessary.
• Expensive Subscription: The app's monthly subscription can be seen as expensive, especially when compared to other parental control apps that offer similar features.

AirDroid Parental Control vs Find My Kids

AirDroid Parental Control is a comprehensive parental control app offering a wide array of features that go beyond basic tracking. It includes content monitoring, web filtering, and app and website scheduling. It also offers the ability to watch your child's surroundings and monitor notifications, which can be particularly useful for detailed oversight.

However, features like a loud SOS signal and blocking unwanted calls are still in develepment, which are critical in emergency situations. The application is available across multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, and Web, making it versatile for different users.

Find My Kids, on the other hand, focuses more on safety and communication. It includes reliable location tracking, geofencing, and the ability to trigger a loud SOS signal, making it ideal for parents primarily concerned with their child's immediate safety.

It also includes features like Family Chat and the ability to block unwanted calls, adding to its value as a safety-focused app. While it lacks some of the more detailed content monitoring and scheduling features of AirDroid, it compensates with a straightforward, user-friendly approach to ensuring your child's safety.

Which One to Choose?

If your primary concern is comprehensive monitoring, including web and content filters, app usage controls, and real-time screen viewing, AirDroid Parental Control is the better choice.

If you are more focused on location tracking, emergency communication, and ensuring your child's immediate safety, Find My Kids might be more suited to your needs.

Final Verdict: Is Find My Kids the Right Choice for You?

The "Find My Kids" app offers a solid balance between giving our kids the freedom they need and ensuring their safety. It's not perfect, and like any tool, it has its strengths and limitations.

But for parents who want a reliable way to stay connected and keep an eye on their children's whereabouts, it's definitely worth considering. Ultimately, it provides the peace of mind we're all looking for, helping us feel more secure while our kids explore their independence.