The Briefing New Greens leader elected + Hidden dangers of tracking apps
May 15, 2025
In this engaging discussion, guest Julie Inman Grant, Australia's eSafety Commissioner, sheds light on the often-overlooked dangers of tracking apps and social media. She reveals how these technologies can lead to coercive control and cyberstalking, particularly among youth in relationships. Julie emphasizes the critical need for open communication between parents and children about these issues. She advocates for holding tech companies accountable and underscores the importance of identifying warning signs of abuse, ensuring that technology fosters safety rather than control.
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Youth Views on Tracking Partners
- One in five young people think tracking a partner is acceptable, while one in three expect instant reply texts asking whereabouts.
- These normalized behaviors can lead to coercive control in relationships.
Model Privacy to Avoid Control
- Parents should model privacy, respect, and consent when using tracking tech like Life360 with their children.
- Clearly communicate with minors about monitoring to distinguish care from coercive control.
Tech Abuse in Young Relationships
- Technology-facilitated abuse is common in domestic violence and often starts early in young people's intimate relationships.
- Platforms like Snap Maps and ephemeral messaging increase risks by normalizing location sharing and intimate image exchange.