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Five Best Apps for Paranoid Parents

Are you a hover mom who needs to know where your child is at all times? We've found the apps (including ones with GPS tracking) that will give any parent more peace of mind- Parenting Magazine.

1. Lassy Project

When a child gets lost, every minute counts. The goal of Lassy Project is to minimize the amount of time it takes to set out an alert that your child has gone missing. Unlike an Amber Alert, Lassy Project provides an image of the missing child and a real time map showing the coordinates of his last known location. It works in seconds, not hours, and only alerts relevant people in the immediate area. (Free; iPhone, iPad, Android)
2. Find My Kids -- Footprints

Ever wish you could know where your child is, all the time? Using GPS in real time, this app helps you keep track of and automatically locate where your child goes with his phone. If he's traveling alone, you can confirm that he arrived at a specific destination, or if he's meeting up with friends, they can confirm each other's locations. Location info is never shared with anyone else beyond those who have permission to see it, and data is saved for later review. Even though the app is free, parents will need to purchase a subscription for the tracking feature. (Free to download, service requires a monthly fee; iPhone, iPad)
3. FBI Child ID

Created by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, this app lets parents store their children's photos plus other identification (height, weight, hair and eye color, age) for quick access if a child ever goes missing. The information is stored on the iPhone only until parents need to send it to authorities. Notable features include safety tips, checklists for what to do if something happens to your child, and shortcuts to dial 911 or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Parents also have the ability to email info immediately to law enforcement agencies if the unthinkable occurs. (Free; iPhone, iPad)
4. iEmergency ICE Family PRO

ICE stands for "In Case of Emergency," and this app allows parents to store important health data -- allergies, prescriptions, and medical conditions such as diabetes -- for an unlimited amount of family and friends. You can enter information about each person's doctor and hospital affiliation, health insurance, and even attorney contacts. The idea is to put all the data you need access to in one easy-to-find place. A free version called ICE iEmergency LITE is also available, but it allows parents to store only three profiles with limited information. ($2.99; iPhone, iPad)
5. Family Tracker

Don't just track the kids; track the whereabouts of the entire family! This app keeps tabs on anyone you like, but only if the other person accepts the one-time tracking request. The app uses a built-in messaging system, separate from standard text messaging, that allows you to contact family members and receive notifications that they read your messages. You even have the capability to get your kid's attention by setting the device to "play a loud, annoying siren." For each device you wish to track, you'll need to buy the app separately. An optional subscription service is available for you to view and export GPS data from previous days. ($5.99; iPhone, iPad, Android)

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