Although the iPhone 4 had problems with locating a signal upon initial release, it has no problem locating people. The sheer magnitude of applications may tend to trivialize them, but if you dig enough, you will find valuable resources. Your child might have the app that turns his phone into a lightsaber, but he can't fend for himself on his own. Hire a technological babysitter by downloading some life-saving programs.
Step 1
Download a social networking site. Programs like Loopt keep you informed of your child's whereabouts while being able to communicate simultaneously. Asking him to confirm where he is will be important, since these programs do not always take buildings into account on their maps.
Step 2
Initiate FaceTime. Your child may have no idea where he is, but with video calling, he can give you visual clues as to where he is. Ask him to point the iPhone at nearby landmarks if he gets lost. The feature also allows you to reassure him face-to-face that everything will be fine.
Step 3
Install a GPS tracking application on her phone. Your daughter might not know how to use or turn on some programs, so it's good to have one that you control. Programs like GPS Tracking Lite will allow your child to take a photo, and Google Maps will then find her location.
Step 4
Download a theft-protection program. Apps like Find My iPhone will display the location of Apple devices that you want to track. Kidnappers may not think to check your child for tracking devices, and your child may not have the opportunity to call for help. However, Wired Magazine describes the built-in application as difficult to use consistently due to the constant required re-entry of your MobileMe password.
