5 Trick-or-Treat Apps for a Safe and Fun Halloween

Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media

By the editors at Common Sense Media

Whether your kid is trick-or-treating or heading to a friend's house for a party, these tools will come in handy. Parents can use their smartphones to keep up with their child's location, provide a network of trusted adults in case of emergency, or simply help revelers plan their route. Here are 5 trick-or-treat apps that will help ensure your child has a safe and fun Halloween.

Treat or Treating
For ages 12 and up
4 out of 5 stars
Parents need to know that Trick or Treating is a very simple mapping app that uses Google Maps to help you create a list of directions from one stop to another. You can bookmark the locations using street addresses or GPS coordinates. Like all navigation apps, parents will want to use it as a tool and not consider it a foolproof child-safety solution.
Read more about the app here.

Trick or Tracker Child Locator
For kids ages 12 and up
3 out of 5 stars
Parents need to know that Trick or Tracker Child Locater is a GPS application used for tracking children. Parents add the child's phone number and a security code in the spaces provided, then the rest is simple. Press the "locate child" button to immediately receive a text message revealing the address of the child's location, along with a link to Google maps that gives a visual of the location. Parents can also send children their own location by selecting the "Where am I?" option, which will text the child the address of the parents.
Read more about the app here.

Gone Out - Later Folks
For kids ages 12 and up
4 out of 5 stars
Parents need to know that Gone Out - Later Folks gives kids an easy, modern way to let their parents or friends know where they're going, how they're going to get there, and when they'll be home, but there could be some privacy concerns if used with Facebook or Twitter. Through an easy "fill in the blank" interface, Google Maps, GPS, calendar, and camera feature, it's easy for tweens, teens, and young adults to enjoy some freedom while still reassuring parents they're being responsible -- and know to be home on an agreed upon time.
Read more about the app here.

Nearparent
For kids ages 12 and up
4 out of 5 stars
Parents need to know that Nearparent is a free "trusted community help app" that parents can use to create a list of adults that their kid can simultaneously notify from their own mobile device if they need to find quick help for things like forgetting house keys, missing the bus, or other important but not emergency needs. The adults can see the location of the kid on a map on their own device. Whoever can respond to the call for help can tell the kid and the other adults on the trusted adult list that they're nearby and can respond.
Read more about the app here.

Find My Friends
For some kids ages 16 and up
4 out of 5 stars
Parents need to know that Find My Friends is a location-sharing app for iOS devices. While there are several notable parental controls, the app is still best suited for older teens and adults. Users can communicate their location to friends (who have to request permission to add you to their tracking list). And while users can turn off location sharing, it's easy to forget and leave turned on. Parents can turn the app off on their children's iOS devices (and prevent them from turning it off as well, allowing them to use the iOS product as a tracking device).
Read more about the app here.

Common Sense Media wishes everyone a safe and fun Halloween!

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About Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology. We exist because our kids are growing up in a culture that profoundly impacts their physical, social, and emotional well-being. We provide families with the advice and media reviews they need in order to make the best choices for their children. Through our education programs and policy efforts, Common Sense Media empowers parents, educators, and young people to become knowledgeable and responsible digital citizens. For more information, go to:www.commonsense.org.