5 Ways Parents Can Find Out If A Teen Sneaks Out

Did you know many troubled boys and adventurous girls often sneak out at night to socialize with friends? Although sneaking out of the house in the middle of the night isn’t the worst behavior it certainly is a potentially dangerous one. But before you start researching a military school or therapeutic boarding school for your boisterous teenager, it is important to remain calm. Troubled teen boys and girls who are under the age of 18 and who exhibit bad behavior by sneaking out certainly need a little more parental attention. That goes without saying. But what can concerned parents do to make sure children and teens are staying safe at home at night? This article addresses the 5 best ways parents can stop any teenager from sneaking out and how to catch your teen the moment they do!

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How To Catch Your Teenager Sneaking Out

First of all, it’s illegal for children and teens under 18 to be out late at night as most states have curfew laws. That means there can be real consequences for sneaking out at night regardless of teen peer pressure. These consequences for sneaking out can come in the form of fines, and of course, the more scary potential consequences of being a naive teen wandering the streets late at night. The reality is many teens often want to do things they are not allowed, especially if they’re told they can’t. Making matters more challenging for parents, apps such as TikTok and Instagram give teens an easy outlet to communicate with friends to secretly plan a coordinated time to sneak out and meet up. In fact, there are numerous Reddit threads and YouTube videos that are specifically aimed at providing info to teens on the best ways to sneak out without getting caught! This is the reason if you are a parent and you want to catch your teen sneaking out then we have you covered!

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The first GPS tracker engineered to help you prevent your teenager from speeding and sneaking out at night, Plug & Play makes it easy to stop your teens from negative driving behaviors. This user-friendly real-time GPS acts as a digital parenting coach, recording everywhere your teen drives, how long they stayed at a friend’s house, how fast they were driving the vehicle, and more. If you want to catch your teen sneaking out in the middle of the night while also making certain they are driving safely, simply plug this OBD2 tracker into the teenager’s car and discover the truth!

1. Track Your Teen’s Car

One of the best ways to shape your teens’ behavior in a positive way is through the use of a GPS tracking device. GPS vehicle trackers offer a simple way for you to know if a teen tells the truth about their driving behaviors and where they are going. And although a GPS tracking system on your child’s vehicle can’t stop them from sneaking out at night, you will have the ability to know when they did sneak out and where they went!

2. Communicate With Your Teen

If you’re a concerned parent who has already caught their child sneaking out of the house at night, one of the first emotions felt is likely anger and distrust. This is why it is critical that you try to remain calm. Start by framing the conversation so that you convey to your teenager that you understand the need for expanded freedoms. Talk with them honestly about healthy and positive ways they can exhibit they’re ready to have additional freedoms. If things are progressing in the right direction after this, consider coming up with a fair plan to extend curfew as your teen gets older and shows with consistency they can be responsible.

3. Install Motion Sensor Lights

If you caught your teen sneaking out and want to prevent them from doing it again consider installing alarms on your doors and potentially windows. Motion sensor lights with cameras can illuminate and record the perimeter of your home, making it easy to document when a teen tries to sneak out. In fact, this type of security is commonplace in boarding schools for troubled teens as well as treatment centers for teenage boys and girls. However, most modern teens are very tech-savvy and likely have the technical knowledge and know-how to turn these security devices off. Therefore, motion sensor lights, Ring alarm systems, and other video surveillance are probably best suited for younger children who wander.

4. Hide The Car Keys At Night

Sometimes the simplest answer is the easiest answer and that is why parents who want to stop teens from sneaking out should hide the family car keys at night. Be proactive by hiding the spare set of keys and make sure to never leave any keys hanging on a hook so that anyone in the house can find them. Teenagers who have their own car keys should turn in their vehicle keys to you every night.

5. Location Tracking Mobile Apps

If your teens refuse to have a GPS tracking device in their car and simply aren’t being cooperative, one way to move forward is with tracking apps for iPhone or Android devices. Location apps will allow parents to know where their teen is located 24/7, giving parents an additional sense of personal security. Although GPS apps are great they do have one significant problem, and that is many teens are smart enough to remove the apps or turn their mobile phones off to stop parents from tracking them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do house rules help prevent sneaky behaviors?

Yes, establishing clear house rules is an effective way to prevent sneaky behaviors. By setting expectations and consequences, you create a structured environment for your teenager. This helps them understand the boundaries and potential risks of their actions. Reinforcing the importance of these rules will encourage responsible decision-making.

How can behavior charts assist in managing risky behaviors?

Absolutely! Behavior charts are a useful tool in monitoring and addressing your teenager’s risky behaviors. By tracking their actions and progress, you can better understand their motivations and work together to improve their decision-making. Additionally, behavior charts can provide a visual representation of consequences and rewards, promoting accountability and responsibility.

Is it necessary to consider treatment programs for teenagers who frequently sneak out?

In some cases, yes. If your teenager’s sneaking out becomes a persistent problem or is accompanied by other concerning behaviors, such as oppositional defiant disorder, it may be beneficial to explore treatment programs. Residential treatment centers, for example, provide a structured environment and professional support to help your teenager overcome challenges and develop healthier habits.

Can the teenage brain contribute to a teenager’s inclination to sneak out?

Yes, the teenage brain is indeed a contributing factor. The teenage brain undergoes significant development, which can result in impulsive decision-making and risk-taking behaviors. Understanding the teenage brain’s development can help you empathize with your child and provide guidance tailored to their unique needs.

How can online parenting resources help when dealing with a sneaking teenager?

Online parenting resources, such as articles, forums, and webinars, can provide valuable insights and strategies for handling a sneaking teenager. These resources often share experiences from other parents and expert advice from professionals, offering a wealth of information to help you navigate the challenges of parenting a teenager who is sneaking out. Don’t hesitate to reach out through contact forms or online communities to seek support and advice from others in similar situations.

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Joy Nguyen

Teen Safety Expert & Writer at Tracking System Direct

Joy Nguyen is a freelance writer based in California with a focus on education and teen safety. A regular contributor to the Tracking System Direct blog, she frequently writes about teen driving safety, providing essential statistics and safety tips for concerned parents.