College Student Struggles With Parents Tracking Her Every Move

In today’s world, technology allows parents to keep closer tabs on their kids than ever before. Apps like Life360 let families share real-time locations, marketed as tools for safety and peace of mind.

But what happens when that peace of mind turns into constant surveillance? For young adults stepping into independence, the line between safety and control can blur, leaving them feeling watched instead of trusted.

One college freshman recently shared her struggle with this issue on Reddit, sparking a wider conversation about boundaries, trust, and what it means to grow up in the age of digital tracking.

A 19-year-old woman explained that she has been using Life360 with her parents since she was 16. At first, it made sense—her parents wanted to know she was safe when she was out with friends or driving.

But now that she’s in her first week of college, she finds the app less protective and more invasive. Before she left home, her mom asked her to keep Life360 running, half-joking that it would help her know “what ditch to get her out of” if something went wrong.

While the daughter understood the concern, she soon realized her parents weren’t using it for emergencies. Instead, they checked her location constantly. They mentioned trips she made to buy school supplies, even when she hadn’t told them about those errands.

More troubling, they monitored whether she attended church, pressuring her into going even though she didn’t want to, just to keep the peace. What was supposed to be a safety net had become a tool of control.

The OP asks:

A 19-year-old college freshman has been using Life360 with her parents since she was 16, originally for safety reasons

Now at college, she finds her parents checking her location obsessively, mentioning trips to stores and monitoring whether she attends church.

This constant surveillance leaves her stressed and uncomfortable, as if every action is being judged

The responses she received reflected a generational divide. Many commenters reassured her she was not in the wrong. Older users recalled growing up in times when parents barely knew where their kids were during the day—only that they would return home for dinner.

"The crushing surveillance of Life 360."

Reddit

"Be careful those first couple of years of freedom."

Reddit

Talking is important

Reddit

Boundaries need to be set.

Reddit

"Their actions are definitely creepy and controlling."

Reddit

Parents may punish OP

Reddit

"360 or other nanny apps can do very little to actually save anyone."

Reddit

A student says:

Reddit

Expert Opinion

This situation highlights a common struggle between parental concern and a young adult's need for independence. Parents often use technology like Life360 out of love and a desire for safety, but when this care shifts into constant surveillance, it can lead to feelings of control and suffocation in the child. It's crucial for both sides to communicate openly about boundaries and trust, as this can foster healthier relationships and support the young adult's transition into autonomy.

Dr Emily Carter

Psychologist

Ultimately, most people agreed she wouldn’t be wrong to set boundaries with her parents. Tools like Life360 can be helpful, but only when used with balance and respect.

When they cross into control, they can harm the very relationships they were meant to protect. For this young woman, standing up for her privacy may not only ease her stress but also help her parents adjust to the reality that their daughter is growing up.

The transition may be uncomfortable, but it’s an important step toward healthier independence—for both sides.