Technology has certainly afforded curious spouses and parents everywhere a peak into their partners’ and kids’ whereabouts, despite the fact that the idea of keeping tabs on someone is a bit….intrusive.

GFI Software conducted a survey recently dealing with location-based services and how they’re being used by the infinitely curious, namely married folk. Location-based services on mobile phones, GFI finds, are actually quite popular but not just for looking for the actual device. 12 percent of 1000 US respondents said they would use these services to find out where their spouses were. 31 percent said they’d use the services to find out where their teenagers were.

This survey was conducted in an effort to find out more about consumers’ use and opinions on mobile security and personal data when stored on a device, particularly when it comes to the use of said devices by children.

"This research shows that younger generations are increasingly turning to mobile devices as their go-to-source for communicating and browsing the Web, yet there is still a profound lack of understanding among consumers of all ages about the value of the personal data stored on these devices, as well as confusion over who is responsible for securing them," said Mark Patton (News - Alert), general manager, Security Business Unit at GFI Software in a release on the findings.  "For this reason, cyber criminals are increasingly targeting mobile devices, and it's alarming to think about the number of people who aren't leveraging the tools -- literally at their fingertips, such as mobile antivirus -- that can help protect personal data and prevent identity theft."

More survey findings tell us that at least one quarter of consumers in both the 16 to 24 (29 percent) and 25 to 34 (25 percent) age groups use a smartphone or tablet as their primary means of accessing the Internet or checking e-mail.

This percentage sharply declines as the age groups increase – 14 percent for ages 35 to 44, 8 percent for ages 45-54 and 3 percent for consumers over the age of 55.

One are that isn’t particularly clear to parents is the use of smartphones by children. Computer use is easier to monitor, whereas mobile devices make it easier for younger ones to skirt parental monitoring.

When it comes to what age is appropriate to start checking in, the opinions are scattered: under 10 (17 percent), 10-12 (18 percent), 12-14 (13 percent), 14-16 (6 percent), over 16 (2 percent). Additionally, 38 percent of respondents don't think children should own a smartphone at all.

"While smartphones and tablets can present a number of risks if they aren't adequately protected, they can also help parents improve their children's safety in ways not previously possible," said Patton. "Parents can prevent unsolicited communications with activity monitoring, make sure their children are where they're supposed to be with location tracking, and leverage a variety of other applications that enable them to keep their kids safe 24/7 -- not just when they are by their side."

Want to learn more about today’s powerful mobile Internet ecosystem? Then be sure to attend the Mobility Tech Conference & Expo, collocated with ITEXPO West 2012 taking place Oct. 2-5 2012, in Austin, TX. Co-sponsored by TMC (News - Alert) Partner Crossfire Media the Mobility Tech Conference & Expo provides unmatched networking opportunities and a robust conference program representing the mobile ecosystem. The conference not only brings together the best and brightest in the wireless industry, it actually spans the communications and technology industry. For more information on registering for the Mobility Tech Conference & Expo click here.

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