Post 50 post50Parenting Screen Sense

5 Apps To Spy On Your Kids Without Them Knowing

It's a dangerous world out there for your teens. These apps may help you keep track of it.
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By 

Senior Reporter, HuffPost

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OLIVIER MORIN via Getty Images

The best way to know where your teenagers are is to have the kind of relationship with them in which they tell you -- truthfully. But for those whose relationships are a bit strained, well, there's an app for that. Here is a list of some apps that will help protect your cover as you track your teens' online comings and goings:

1. mSpy

mSpy is the top used cell phone tracking app worldwide, according to TopTrackingApps. Its main selling point is that you can monitor multiple things with it -- who they call, what they text, which apps they use, the number of contacts, GPS location, etc. And according to SpyParent's founder Sedgrid Lewis, "it works." While the field of spying apps isn't limited, simplicity of use and reliability are factors to be considered. The average American teen spends up to seven hours a day in contact with others on electronic devices, and a recent survey by online security firm AVG found that by the time they are 16, one in three  has regretted something they did online.

2. The Spy Bubble

The Spy Bubble is another jack-of-all-spying-trades, also suitable for monitoring the phone of your suspected cheating spouse. Its site does offer some cautionary, if frightening, state-of-the-world information you might find useful. We are still reeling from this one about online photos and Photoshop: "Never let your kids share their photos online on an open forum. Why? They will ask. Everyone does that. Yes, everyone does that and about eight percent of those experience harassment due to photoshop effects on their photos. The worst bullying of this sort is seen by the girls, especially because female reputation is one of the most fragile things in the world."

 3. The Phone Sheriff

One nice feature of the Phone Sheriff  is that it allows you to set time limits on your teen's device. Want "OK, you can play with your phone for an hour" to really mean just 60 minutes? This app will shut down and lock the phone when you tell it to.

4. Mobicip

Mobicip isn't so much a tracker app as one that restores a bit of control over your teen's online life. The middle school level blocks online shopping, gambling, dating, liquor, and chat sites. The high school level blocks content that is adult, sexual, or involves weapons and violence. Good luck with your kid not using a friend's phone.

5. MamaBear

For parents of new drivers and parents of teens with friends who have had their licenses for 20 minutes, MamaBear will let you know the speed of the vehicle your teen is traveling in. Just don't text them to slow down, OK?

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Financial Resources for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Financial Assistance(01 of05)
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For starters, find out whether your family qualifies for your state's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which may include cash assistance, food stamps and free or low-cost daycare. Or, if your household income is too high to qualify as a family, ask about the "child-only grant" for just the grandchild's support alone. Also, find out if your state offers any additional programs like guardianship subsidies, non-parent grants or kinship care. Contact your state TANF program or call your county social services office for more information.You also need to find out if your grandkids are eligible for Social Security, including benefits for children, survivor benefits or SSI. You can find this out at your local Social Security office, or call 800-772-1213 or see www.ssa.gov.And finally, use benefitscheckup.org, a comprehensive web resource that helps you search for additional financial assistance programs that you may be eligible for, such as lower energy bills, discounts on prescription medications and more. (credit:benefitscheckup.org)
Tax Benefits(02 of05)
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In addition to the financial assistance resources, Uncle Sam offers some tax benefits that may help you too like the Dependency Exemption which allows you to deduct $3,800 in 2102 on each qualifying grandchild.There's also the Earned Income Tax Credit or EITC which is available to those with moderate to low incomes, or the Child Tax Credit if you make too much money to qualify for the EITC.If you're working, and are incurring child care expenses in order to work, there's a Child and Dependent Care Credit that can help. And, if you choose to legally adopt your grandkids, there's an Adoption Credit that provides a federal tax credit of up to $12,650 per child.There are even education-related tax credits through the American Opportunity Tax Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit to help if your grandkids go to college.To learn more about these tax benefits call 800-829-1040, or visit www.irs.gov. You can also call the IRS publication line at 800-829-3676 and ask them to mail you the following publications: 501, 503, 596, 970, 972, and Form 8839. (credit:Alamy)
Health Insurance(03 of05)
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If your grandkids need health insurance, depending on your income level, you may be able to get free or low-cost health insurance through your state's Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. See insurekidsnow.gov or call 877-543-7669 for more information. (credit:insurekidsnow.gov)
Legal Issues(04 of05)
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You also need to talk to a family law attorney to discuss the pros and cons of obtaining legal guardianship, custody or adoption. Without some sort of legal custody, you may not be eligible for many of the previously listed financial assistance programs, and there can be problems with basic things like enrolling your grandkids in school, or giving a doctor permission to treat them.If your need help locating affordable or free legal assistance use findlegalhelp.org, or call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 for referrals. (credit:Alamy)
Savvy tip(05 of05)
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To find support with other grandparents who are raising their grandchildren, visit the AARP GrandCare Support Locator at giclocalsupport.org where you can search for support groups in your area. (credit:aarp.org)

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