Spy apps are a hot topic in 2024. An increasing number of parents, partners, and employees are turning to spy applications to monitor the activities performed on target devices.
If you’re unaware of what a spy app is, it’s a program that can be used to keep tabs on another person’s phone. Also referred to as ‘surveillance apps’, spy apps allow users to track search histories, messages, posts, calls and texts, and the GPS location of target individuals. While this may seem intrusive, spy apps provide a lot of value and purpose when used ethically.
For example, spy apps are most commonly used by concerned parents who want to keep tabs on their child’s whereabouts, as well as who they’re in contact with.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about spy apps in 2024.
What can spy apps be used for?
Spy apps can be used for a whole host of purposes, including social media monitoring, GPS tracking, and remote phone access.
Social media monitoring
Social media monitoring is probably the most commonly used spy app purpose. Parents use spy apps to make sure their children are using social media responsibly – i.e., not posting anything inappropriate or messaging people they don’t know. Similarly, concerned partners also use spy apps to ensure that their better halves aren’t talking to anyone else.
If you’re wondering specifically what type of social media spy apps can monitor, here’s a list of options:
- Snapchat spy apps – As stated by Anwesha Roy, it’s now possible to track a target phone’s Snapchat activity using a spy app. A surveillance app allows you to look at all the images that are being sent by your targeted phone, as well as messages that are being exchanged.
- Instagram spy apps – You can use a spy app to monitor an Instagram account’s direct messages, deleted messages, posts, stories, followers and following, shared media, and saved media. This means you can ensure that your targeted Instagram user is using the app responsibly and safely.
- Facebook spy apps – Similar to Instagram and Snapchat, using a spy app on a Facebook account allows you to monitor a user’s likes, messages, shared media, friend lists, comments, and so on.
- WhatsApp spy apps – With a surveillance app, you can check in on a user’s WhatsApp messages and shared photos. You can also track call logs. However, most spy apps do not allow you to listen in on WhatsApp calls.
- TikTok spy apps – Spy apps can also be used on the likes of TikTok. When spying on a TikTok account, surveillance app users can view an account’s liked videos, views, comments, and messages with other accounts.
Additionally, you can also find spy apps that allow you to track dating apps, gambling sites like crypto casinos, and other online platforms.
GPS tracking
Spy apps also provide users with accurate GPS readings, allowing them to accurately track their geographical location at all times. Sometimes, kids switch off their Find My iPhone settings, which makes it difficult for parents to determine their kids’ whereabouts.
Spy apps provide you with real-time updates, allowing you to know exactly where the target phone’s owner is whenever necessary.
Remote control access
One particular benefit of spy apps to parents is that they allow targeted phones to be controlled remotely. For example, parents could use a spy app to download or delete specific applications from the user’s phone. This way, if they find an inappropriate app on the target phone, they can remove it immediately without even having to confront the user.
Other remote actions that can be performed include data deletion and phone locking and unlocking.
Spy app use cases
As aforementioned, the main users of spy apps are concerned parents wishing to monitor their children. However, there are lots of other common spy app use cases.
Online predator and cyberbully protection
From a parent’s point of view, spy apps aren’t only useful for monitoring how their child uses social media. It’s also a useful tool for protecting young people from predators and cyberbullies.
By reading over messages, parents can intervene whenever they think their child is interacting with a potential predator. Given that there are an estimated 500,000 predators active online per day, using a spy app for this purpose is highly recommended.
Similarly, these apps allow parents to look out for scammers. Without a spy app, parents wouldn’t be able to provide this level of protection.
Screen time management
You can also use a spy app to better manage your child’s screen time. While it’s possible to set screen time limits, spy apps can allow you to set more exact cut-off times. They also allow you to control screen time monitoring remotely.
Elderly care and support
It’s not only young people who need to stay safe online. Many elderly people fall victim to online scams when surfing the web. By tracking their activity using a spy app, you ensure they steer clear of questionable websites. You can also track their conversations to ensure they’re messaging legitimate accounts.
There was a 14% increase in elder fraud complaints in 2023. So, investing in spy apps to mitigate this issue would definitely be recommended.
Partner monitoring
Spy apps are a good way for partners and spouses to monitor their partner’s online activities and double-check that they’re not doing anything they shouldn’t.
Business monitoring
Companies also adopt spy technology to monitor their employees’ online activities during working hours. This way, they can ensure that they’re working on what they’re supposed to. Spy technology allows businesses to maximize productivity and time management. Workers are guaranteed to stay focused if they know that their bosses are monitoring every website they visit.
Personal security
The GPS tracking technology found on spy apps can also be useful for cyber security purposes. If your phone becomes lost or stolen, you can use spy apps to back up data and find the location of the missing phone. With an estimated four million devices stolen and trafficked in the US alone, the more GPS tracking technology you have, the better.
Final Thoughts
Spy apps are a practical means of monitoring another person’s digital activity. Not only is it useful for parents who want to keep tabs on their kids, but also for partners who want to spy on their spouses, businesses who want to monitor their employees, and so on. The multiple use cases and cross-social media accessibility have made spy technology one of the most talked-about apps of 2024.