As a parent it can be tricky coming to terms with giving your children the freedom they desire, be it allowing them to make their own way home from school or to go out and play with their mates.
With so many youngsters now having a mobile phone at their disposal, kids are being encouraged to use a simple app which can alert parents if they're in danger, which might help ease the worries of parents.
The free Hollie Guard app essentially turns your kid's mobile into a personal safety device which can be triggered if any danger should arise, report Manchester Evening News.
Once activated it allows users to raise the alarm by shaking or tapping their phone if an emergency occurs.
It can be set to send a discreet warning signal to emergency contacts, along with their exact location, as well as audio and video recordings of what is going on.
It can also be used as a deterrent where activation triggers a piercing noise and strobe lighting to attract attention and help.
The Hollie Guard app was created by the Hollie Gazzard Trust, after 20-year-old hairdresser Hollie, who was killed in 2014 by former partner turned stalker Asher Maslin.
Hollie's dad Nick Gazzard appears in Staffordshire Police's 'Let’s Talk Stalking’ campaign video.
He explains: "Hollie Guard has genuinely saved lives. We know this from messages we get from people through social media that have used it.
"It’s fantastic to be working with police forces throughout the UK to reach people who need it the most.
"It’s always been a free app as we want to include absolutely everyone and have no limitations to who it can help. It was designed with stalking and domestic abuse in mind, but many have activated the app in other day-to-day situations such as walking to/from work or school alone, people who work alone or for those who just want extra comfort knowing they have this device to hand."
Once downloaded, users simply register with their name, email and date of birth.
You then add your own emergency contacts who will be alerted when you click on the app and shake your phone to show you're in trouble.
Those people get a text message and an email warning them of the emergency.
They are also made aware of your exact location via GPS.
The app is available on all Android and Apple devices.
Find out more by visiting the website here
