Parenting in a connected world: What role should location safety play?

Parents looking for balance between safety and independence for their kids in the digital age

Navigating the digital world can be a daily balancing act for parents. As parents, we want to support our child or teen’s growing independence while also ensuring safety – both while online and also physically out in the world.

In today’s connected world, technology has become a key element of this journey. From messaging apps to parental controls, families now have tools that didn’t exist a generation ago. Among them, location-sharing apps have risen in popularity – apps that can give parents real-time insight into where their children are. These tools offer peace of mind, help coordinate pickups, and provide a layer of security during moments of uncertainty. But like all powerful tools, their use raises important questions about trust, privacy, and boundaries.

For some families, location sharing is a mutual agreement that fosters open communication. For others, it can become a point of tension – particularly as children grow older and crave more autonomy. When we spoke to parents, many told us that they use location-sharing apps for safety. Many teens shared mixed views about sharing their location with their parents – some found it reassuring to know that their parents know where they are, while others found it intrusive – especially if it isn’t discussed openly. This is where communication and balance become essential: safety shouldn’t come at the cost of developing independence or sacrificing mutual trust.

Ultimately, the role that location safety plays in parenting isn’t just about the technology itself – it’s about how families use it. Building a shared understanding between parents and children, establishing when and why location sharing is used, and checking in regularly on how everyone feels about it can turn this digital feature into a source of connection rather than conflict. In the rest of this article, we’ll explore how families can find that balance, supported by data, expert insights, and stories from real parents and teens.

Location sharing: Supporting independence with boundaries

As children grow, so does their desire for independence — to walk to school with friends, spend time out of the house unsupervised, or make decisions on their own. For parents, this can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Encouraging independence is a crucial part of growing up, but it’s natural to want to stay connected and ensure your child is safe as they navigate the world on their own.

That’s where thoughtful boundaries come in. Location-sharing technology can be a tool that supports both freedom and responsibility — not a way to monitor every move, but a digital safety net that helps your child stretch their wings while still knowing you’re close by if needed. With the right approach, location sharing becomes less about control and more about mutual trust and reassurance.

Setting expectations around when and why location sharing is used — like during commutes, solo outings, or new experiences — helps normalize the conversation and gives kids clarity. It’s about creating a shared understanding: “We trust you, and we’re here if you need us.” With clear boundaries and open communication, location sharing can empower young people while giving parents greater peace of mind.

Location sharing made simple

Parents are asking for peace of mind and allowing their child/teen to explore the world on their own accord as safely as possible. At HMD, we’ve designed and developed the HMD Fusion X1 inspired by interactions we had during The Better Phone Project. Whilst there is more to come from the insight and development of The Better Phone Project, the HMD Fusion X1 is a step in the right direction.

One of key feature of HMD Fusion X1 is the real-time location tracking. This feature allows parents to access clear and accurate understandings of their teen’s whereabouts. With updates every 20 seconds, parents can check that their teen has arrived safely at school, left their friend’s house on time, or is on their way home. It can reduce the need for constant check-in messages and calls, offering peace of mind without added pressure. In addition to real-time updates, the HMD Fusion X1 also stores up to three days of location history, allowing parents to review past movements if needed.

Parents continue to wrestle with wanting to respect their child’s independence while still needing the comfort of knowing that they’re safe. The HMD Fusion X1 allows parents to stay quietly connected to their teens in the background, with information of their child’s location available if needed, without feeling overbearing or intrusive.

Safety Zones for your teen

Safety Zones on the HMD Fusion X1 are that little bit of extra reassurance that your teen is where they are meant to be or are in a trusted location. You can set up zones for places like school, home or a friend/family members house. You’ll receive instant alerts when your child enters or leaves these zones, another way to stay updated without needing to ask your teen for updates.

The safety zone feature is particularly helpful during your teen’s transitional moments, like starting secondary school, going to the shops with friends for the first time or catching public transport alone. It can be a discreet way to reinforce routines, especially when your teen is starting to navigate the world on their own terms for the first time.

HMD Fusion X1: Designed for teens, trusted by parents

HMD Fusion X1 is designed to be enjoyed by teens as well as trusted by parents. It’s a phone that teens can feel happy and proud to carry around. It is intended to provide boundaries for smartphone capabilities that grow. Some of the cleverly designed features of HMD Fusion X1 for teens include:

• 108MP back camera – for taking great photos and saving memories to rewatch again and again.
• Selfie Gesutres – for the ultimate hands-free selfies with their besties.
• Customizable design – dress up their phone with different phone cases available for purchase. From a gaming outfit to a selfie light, everyone is a winner!
• Screen time requests – for if your parents locked your screen time too soon, ask for more directly from your smartphone.
• Application Requests – still get access to applications needed in agreement with your parents who can unlock/unhide apps in real time from their smartphone.

Underneath the style is a framework of enhanced safety parental support, online and in-person. Parents can set boundaries and stay informed without micromanaging. Teens feel trusted; parents feel reassured.

A smarter way to stay connected as a family

The truth is, in a world where teens and children become more and more connected, it is more important than ever for parents to stay informed and alert. As part of The Better Phone Project, we spoke to Joe Ryrie, the Co-founder and director of Smartphone Free Childhood. When asked about the increase in responsibility children now have with tech, Joe was extremely concerned:

Knowing where your teen is shouldn’t be a power struggle between control and independence. Location sharing, in particular, offers a layer of quiet reassurance. It gives parents visibility without intrusion, allowing you to check in with confidence, not concern. And can make teens feel safe knowing that parents know where they are. From real-time updates to Safe Zone alerts, it’s the kind of smart, guilt-free feature that makes every day parenting feel just a little easier.

HMD Fusion X1 is a smart way to stay connected as a family, with thoughtful design that promotes healthier relationships with smartphones and a safer introduction to the online world, it really provides great peace of mind for parents. At a time when children are growing up faster and facing more online risks than ever before, this phone gives parents the tools they need to keep up, without feeling overbearing or invasive.