A University of Michigan survey found that 52% of parents of 18- to 25-year-olds track their adult children’s locations using smartphone apps, with the majority keeping the tracking active most of the time. While many parents cited peace of mind regarding safety as their primary reason, about 25% of those who track their children reported that the practice sometimes causes more anxiety than reassurance. Researchers noted that tracking can be a healthy way to stay connected, but it may also cross into surveillance or interference if used to micromanage a young adult’s life. Experts offer varying perspectives on the health of these practices. Laurence Steinberg, a professor at Temple University, suggested it may be a “bad idea” to track adult children constantly unless both parties agree, noting that this period is vital for developing autonomy. He recommended setting regular weekly times to catch up instead. Conversely, some young adults, such as a University of Michigan student interviewed for the study, reported that mutual tracking feels like a reassuring way to stay updated rather than a forced requirement. The broader landscape of child safety and digital monitoring is also seeing significant regulatory and technological shifts. The U.K. Government announced plans to ban children under 16 from using various social media apps, including TikTok and Snapchat, starting early next year. While the government cites the need to protect children from harmful content, platforms like Meta and YouTube warned that blanket bans could push teens toward unregulated, less-safe services. Simultaneously, platforms like Roblox are implementing biometric age-checking tools to place users into age-based accounts. While the company frames these measures as an investment in long-term safety and a move away from self-declared ages, the technology has faced pushback from digital rights advocates over privacy concerns and from developers who argue it creates barriers to entry.