How Technology Helped Me Save a Teen: A Real-Life Story of Innovation at Work

In today's fast-paced world, technology has seamlessly integrated itself into almost every aspect of our lives. But nothing brings this fact home more than when technology helps in critical, real-life situations. Recently, I was involved in a harrowing experience where quick thinking, timely access to apps, and live tracking tools enabled us to save a teenage boy, Chandan (name changed), from a potentially life-threatening situation. This incident highlighted the incredible role technology can play in helping families and authorities act quickly during emergencies.

The Situation

Chandan, a 14-year-old boy obsessed with the online game Free Fire, was manipulated by strangers he met within the game to run away from home. He planned everything meticulously, even shutting down his phone, deleting his social media accounts, and taking precautions to make it difficult for his family to trace him. Chandan's family was in panic when they discovered he had not attended school, and the initial attempts to locate him hit a dead end. His father, Prakash Kumar (name changed), who works in the Merchant Navy, was on a ship and unable to help in person. That’s when I, a close family friend, got involved, and technology became the critical tool that saved the day.

Live Location Tracking: The Turning Point

The first tool we turned to was the GPS tracking of Chandan’s phone. His phone had been inactive for several hours, but eventually, it was switched on. Thanks to mobile phone tracking, which is an indispensable tool in cases of missing persons, we quickly discovered that Chandan was in Agra. Real-time location tracking enabled us to act swiftly; without it, hours would have been lost in guessing his whereabouts.

This wasn’t just about knowing where he was—technology allowed us to predict where he was heading. Once his phone moved out of Agra and toward Mumbai, the urgency escalated. By tracking his live location, we were able to make informed decisions that shaped the rest of our strategy.

Real-Time Train Information and Scheduling Apps

Another key challenge was identifying the train Chandan was on. Fortunately, there are various apps today, such as RailYatri.in IRCTC ixigo and Where is My Train, that provide real-time train schedules and GPS-based train locations. We used these apps to track trains leaving Agra toward Mumbai and narrowed down which train Chandan was likely traveling on. The information from these apps proved invaluable in enabling us to coordinate the next steps with precision.

Not only did these apps give us information about train timings and locations, but they also allowed us to monitor delays, make adjustments, and plan accordingly. The train Chandan was on was delayed by three hours, giving us a window to intercept him at an earlier station. This small but crucial detail was made possible only because of these real-time train tracking apps.

The Importance of Flight Booking Apps

Once we knew Chandan’s location and destination, we decided that time was of the essence. Rather than driving or taking another train, we turned to flight booking apps such as MakeMyTrip and Goibibo to book immediate tickets from Delhi to Mumbai. Within minutes, we secured flights for the family members and police officers who would meet Chandan in Mumbai. The flight booking process, which could have taken hours over the phone or through agents in the past, was completed in less than 10 minutes, allowing us to stay ahead of Chandan’s travel timeline.

Apps for Local Transportation and Navigation

Upon landing in Mumbai, another set of apps helped us navigate the city efficiently. Using Google Maps, we calculated the time it would take to reach Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) Railway Station from the airport, ensuring we wouldn’t waste time in Mumbai’s notorious traffic. We also relied on ride-hailing apps like Uber and Ola to arrange our transportation without delays. These apps played a vital role in ensuring we reached the station well ahead of Chandan’s expected arrival time.

When we discovered that Chandan’s train would be delayed further, the train-tracking apps once again helped us make another critical decision. Instead of waiting at LTT, we opted to intercept Chandan at Nashik Railway Station, some hours before Mumbai. By combining data from multiple apps, including train schedules, location tracking, and transportation booking platforms, we were able to anticipate Chandan’s movements and save valuable time.

Communication Apps: Staying Connected

Throughout the entire journey, instant messaging platforms like WhatsApp allowed us to stay in constant touch with Chandan's family and the police officers tracking his movements. His aunt, in particular, played a key role in extracting vital information from Chandan via WhatsApp, which ultimately helped us identify his train and the specific compartment he was in. Without the ease of real-time communication, coordinating this complex rescue operation would have been nearly impossible.

A Lifesaving Web of Technology

In the end, Chandan was found safely on the platform at Nashik Railway Station, thanks to the combined use of technology that allowed us to track his location, book travel, and stay connected. This incident underscores how technology, when used smartly, can be a powerful tool in the most critical of situations.

While this story has a happy ending, it’s a reminder to all parents to stay informed about their children’s online activities and to leverage technology for monitoring and protection. Real-time location tracking, travel apps, and communication tools were instrumental in saving Chandan, and they could be equally crucial for others facing similar emergencies.

Technology has made the world smaller and more connected, but it has also introduced risks. Yet, with the right tools, we can mitigate those risks and ensure that our loved ones remain safe.