Geocaching: What parents need to know
Geocaching is an app that people use to participate in the activity of geocaching, where people search around the real world for hidden items left by other users.
Find out if Geocaching is safe for your child.

In this guide
What is Geocaching?
Geocaching is a platform based around the hobby of geocaching. Geocaching involves people hiding containers in a random place in the world, and then sharing the GPS coordinates and clues to help other people find the containers. Geocaching bills itself as ‘the world’s largest treasure hunt’, and this is an accurate way to describe the activity.
Users of the app must be at least 16 years old to own an account, and at least 18 years old to post in the Geocaching forums. However, Geocaching does still encourage people under 16 to get involved in geocaching, but these people must do it through an account owned by their parent or guardian, and do geocaching accompanied by this adult.
How it works
Upon first opening the Geocaching app, users will be prompted to sign up using an email address. Once this is done, warnings will appear on screen telling users to be careful when engaging in geocaching outdoors and informing them that they will need to have their location on to use the app.
After accepting these warnings, users will be shown a map of their area, with each geocache in the area being marked. Users should select a geocache from the map, then go outside towards it’s location, and use the clues on the app to find the geocache. Then the finder can sign the logbook inside the geocache with their name, return the cache to it’s original position, and log their find on the geocache app.
The Geocaching app also has social features. Users can send messages to other users, without having to add them as a friend first. Pictures and GIFs can be attached to these messages.
A Geocaching forum exists outside of the app, being accesses through a browser. On this forum users can share advice on geocaching, and discuss general geocaching-related topics. This forum can only be used be people aged 18+.
Geocache can be used for free, but a premium subscription is also available. The premium plan gives users access to more caches, the ability to sort and filter caches by distance and rating and get personalised statistics on their geocaching progress. This plan costs £5.99 monthly or £30.99 yearly.
Geocaching parental controls
The Geocaching app does not have parental controls. This is because the app is not meant to be used by people under 16 years of age.
Users can take some steps to stay safe on the app, such as having the ability to block any users who send them inappropriate messages. This is a step that only prevents further exposure to inappropriate content though, rather than stopping it from ever being seen in the first place.
Benefits of Geocaching
There are many benefits involved in the hobby of geocaching, and using the Geocaching app allows users to engage in this hobby easily, interact with others in the community and have a wider choice of caches. Benefits of geocaching include:
Getting outdoors
Geocaching involves getting outdoors and searching for hidden caches in nature. This gives users time away from screens, and keeps them active.
Team work and communication
Searching for a geocache together with your child to decipher clues and find a cache will allow you to connect and work towards a common goal, and can even be a great time to start a conversation about their digital life.
Problem solving
Deciphering clues and locating a cache requires people to use logic and challenges their minds. For a child, this can improve their critical thinking which will help them in every facet of life, including staying safe online.
What to watch out for
While children are not allowed to have their own Geocaching account, there is no age verification required when signing up, so some children may still create an account despite being underage. This could expose them to messages from strangers, so if your child seems interested in geocaching, ask them if they’d like you to create your own account so that you can take them geocaching under supervision.
There are also privacy risks involved in using the Geocaching app. You must share your location in order to use the app, as otherwise you will not be able to see what caches are in your area. Other users may also be able to figure out your location through your activity if you often log caches from the same area.
The app can increase the risk of offline dangers as well. In the pursuit of caches, users might accidentally trespass on land, encounter dangerous terrain or go to remote and unsafe locations. Always accompany your child while geocaching and check that the cache looks to be in a safe location before heading out to search for it.