Diabetes Detectives: Teaching Children to Use Apps to Track Their Blood Sugar Like a Pro

Managing Type 1 Diabetes is like being a detective- there are clues everywhere, and if children learn to spot the patterns, they can stay ahead of highs and lows.

For parents, getting children to engage with diabetes management can feel like a challenge. However, with the rise of child-friendly diabetes apps- many of which are recommended by the NHS- tracking blood sugar is becoming easier, more interactive and even fun.

Here’s how to teach children to track their blood sugar like a pro- without making it feel like homework!

Why Should Your Child Learn to Track Their Blood Sugar?

When children learn to track their blood sugar, they:

• Spot patterns and trends, helping them avoid highs and lows

• Understand how food, activity, and insulin affect them

• Feel more independent and in control of their diabetes

• Reduce stress for parents, who can monitor things remotely with the right tools

Even young children can get involved in small ways, whether it’s scanning their Freestyle Libre or helping log their meals. As they grow, tracking can become a natural part of their routine.

Best Diabetes Apps for Children in the UK

Many tracking apps are designed for adults, but these NHS-approved and UK-friendly apps work well for children.

1. MySugr (iOS & Android, Free with optional paid features)

Best for: Making diabetes tracking fun

• Features a “diabetes monster” that children can tame by logging blood sugar

• Provides easy-to-read charts to spot trends

• Lets children log blood sugar, food, insulin and activity in one place

2. LibreLine & LibreLinkUP (iOS & Andoid, Free, for Freestyle Libre users)

Best for: Children using the Freestyle Libre sensor

• Shows real-time blood sugar trends with a quick scan

• Parents can monitor remotely via LibreLinkUp- ideal for younger children

• Easy colour coded charts make it simple for children to understand their levels

3. BlueLoop by Beyond Type 1 (iOS & Android, Free)

Best for: Simple logging and reminders for insulin and food

• Lets children log blood sugar, carbs and insulin doses in simple format

• Offers reminders for snacks, insulin and CGM changes

• Parents can access data to offer guidance without micromanaging

4. Glooko (iOS & Android, Free via NHS in some areas)

Best for: Children who use multiple diabetes devices (CGMs, pumps, meters)

• Syncs with most diabetes tech, reducing manual logging

• Creates clear reports to help children and parents spot trends

• NHS partnerships mean some families can get it for free- check with your clinic

How to Teach Children to Track Like a Pro

1. Turn It Into a Game

Instead of making tracking feel like a chore, gamify it!

• Set daily challenges, like remembering to scan before meals

• Use apps rewards, like MySugr’s diabetes monster, to make logging fun

• Let them play “Diabetes Detective”, looking for patterns in their readings

2. Help Them Spot Trends

Numbers are just numbers- until children see why they matter. Ask questions such as:

• “Your BG levels always drop after PE- What can we do next time?”

• “Pizza night makes your BG levels spike- should we try adjusting insulin timing?”

• “You stayed steady at school today! What do you think helped?”

When children connect their actions to their blood sugar, they feel more in control.

3. Start with Small Responsibilities

Tracking everything at once can feel overwhelming. Instead:

• Young children can help scan their Libre sensor or use emojis to describe how they feel

• Older children can log meals, insulin doses or make notes on what affects their blood sugar

• Teens can start using trend reports to adjust insulin with guidance from their diabetes team

4. Use Positive Reinforcement

Tracking can feel repetitive, so praise their effort:

• Celebrate consistency (“Well done for checking before lunch!”)

• Highlight their insights (“You figured out running makes your blood sugars drop- great detective work!”)

• Use small rewards (sticker charts, extra screen time, or a fun activity) to keep motivation high

5. Make It Part of Their Routine

Diabetes tracking is easiest when it fits into everyday life. Try linking it to:

• Meals (checking before breakfast, lunch and dinner)

• Activities (scanning before football or dance class)

• Bedtime routines (a quick check before brushing teeth)

With an app, everything stays in one place- no lost logbooks or forgotten numbers!

How Parents Can Support Without Taking Over

It’s tempting to double-check every number, but children need space to learn and build confidence. Here’s how to support without micromanaging:

• Check in together- Review app data as a team and talk about what’s working

• Encourage independence- Let them take the lead on tracking when they’re ready

• Keep it stress-free- Focus on learning, not perfection. If they forget a log, that’s okay!

The goal isn’t just tracking- it’s building a sense of control and confidence.

Final Thoughts: Empowering Children to Take Charge

Teaching children to track their blood sugars isn’t about fixating on numbers- it’s about helping them understand their body, spot trends and feel in control. With the right apps, encouragement, and a bit of creativity, diabetes management can become less stressful and more empowering.

By making it fun, showing them how to find patterns and giving them small responsibilities, you’re setting them up for a lifetime of confidence in managing their diabetes.