Modern Family Safety: How Apps Can Support Your Loved Ones
Staying connected with the people we care about has always been a bit of a challenge. Families aren’t just spread across neighborhoods – many are spread across cities, states, and even continents. Add in busy schedules, caregiving responsibilities, and different comfort levels with technology, and it’s easy to see why so many households are looking for tools that make safety, coordination, and communication feel easier.
Family technology is evolving fast, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. With so many options available today, here are a couple of features to lookout for:
- Safety features that allow you to track the location of individuals on a shared plan or view any actions taken to monitor for any fraudulent activities
- Shared communication options that allow you to chat with multiple family members and caregivers on one group channel
- Financial monitoring tools that can alert family members of suspicious activity
- Caregiving options that allow for features like remote support or automated reminders to help caregivers stay on top of needs
That’s where today’s new generation of family apps comes in, like the Verizon Family app, EverSafe, and Lyft Family or Lift Silver, to name a few. These tools help you monitor for fraudulent activity, stay informed about daily routines, and feel more confident knowing that help or information is only a tap away.
Verizon Family Plus
Verizon’s new Family Plus app, available on both iOS and Android for Verizon customers, is part of this growing category designed to support families across all stages of life, from teen drivers to older adults living independently. The app brings together four major safety features, making it easier and more affordable than paying for separate services.
The four features include:
- 24/7 Assist which allows you to tap your smart watch and get access to a live agent, who can quickly help you assess the situation—whether that’s calling 911 or your family.
- A shared “Family Line” phone number. When someone calls the Family Line number, it rings up to five devices at once (additional taxes and fees apply when you activate this feature).
- Location sharing. You can choose who can see your location, and follow your family, too.
- Roadside Assistance that allows you to get help for issues like a flat tire, a dead battery or a tow—up to four service events per year—without paying for a separate roadside membership (terms apply).
The monthly cost of Verizon Family Plus is $14.99. (If you have the Verizon Family Plus Perk on myPlan, it only costs $10 a month).
EverSafe
While older adults report less fraud than younger people, they report higher financial losses and reduced likelihood of regaining those funds. Financial monitoring and fraud protection tools that track accounts for suspicious activity, like new accounts opened or large wire transfers, can help families prevent fraud and provide an extra layer of security.
One option in this group of financial monitoring tools is EverSafe, which allows family members to connect their financial accounts and designate recipients for monitoring alerts and notifications. They have several subscription options ranging from $7.49 per month to $26.99 per month, and offer both individual plans and family plans that allow adult children to sponsor protection coverage for their parents.
Lyft Family / Lyft Silver
Lyft offers several features that make ride-sharing safer and easier for families. With Lyft Family, riders can share real-time trip details and live location with trusted contacts, giving loved one’s peace of mind while someone is on the move. Lyft Silver goes a step further for older adults, offering a simplified app interface, priority ride matching with easy-to-access vehicles, and dedicated live phone support between 8 AM and 9 PM ET. These tools help riders stay independent while keeping family members informed and connected.
While Lyft Family and Lyft Silver do not have membership fees, every ride costs money.
Why These Options Matter
Whether you’re managing a busy household, checking in on aging parents, or simply trying to stay more connected with the people you love, today’s family apps offer tools that fit modern life. They support independence, provide reassurance, and create new ways to stay safe and in sync.
Your Turn
Have you tried any family apps? Which do you love? Share your experiences or questions in the comments!
This article is brought to you by Verizon.
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Comments
Great overview. I’d add that connection works best when tech is simple and accessible. Video options like Echo Show drop-in, GrandPad, and Onscreen reduce steps. Tools like iPad Assistive Access or Raz Mobility phones simplify use for cognitive challenges. And Voiceitt can turn hard-to-understand speech into clear text or voice. This work has been my life’s focus—happy to help others explore what’s possible.
Are there other “sharing apps” besides the ones mentioned in the correspondence? I do not have Verizon, and do not use Lyft (it is not prevalent in Prescott, AZ). I understand Verizon sponsored the article, so I see why no others are listed.
Very informative article for us as almost-octogenarians. One of us vehemently rejects any tech help — even when our PCP encourages it. The outright opposition makes safety and connection harder. We’d welcome hearing how others have managed similar resistance in their families.