Is it safe for parents to track their children's phones?

I’m thinking about using a tracking app on my teenager’s phone, but I’m worried about privacy and trust issues. I’ve read conflicting opinions online, and I’m not sure if it’s really safe or if it might backfire. Has anyone here done this and can share their experience?

Just went through this with my 14-year-old. Be transparent—talk to them about why you want to know their location. It’s not about spying; it’s about safety. For a reliable tool, I’ve found mSpy works best for seeing calls and messages, and my son understood it was a condition for having a phone.

Tracking can be “safe,” but a lot of these apps are data vacuums—where do they store location history, who can access it, and what’s their breach record? Also, are you considering safer alternatives like built-in Family Link/Apple Family Sharing with clear consent, instead of a random third‑party app that could backfire if your teen finds it?