Tech, Tots & Teens: The Best Diabetes Apps for Families

Written By Amy Rouech

Managing Type 1 diabetes (T1D) as a parent can feel overwhelming at times. Between tracking blood sugar levels, carb counting, insulin doses and keeping up with school or social activities, there’s a lot to juggle. Thankfully, technology is making diabetes management easier with a range of UK-friendly apps and digital tools designed to help parents, children and teens.

Whether you’re managing a toddler’s care, supporting a primary school-age child or helping a teenager gain independence, here are some of the best diabetes apps and resources available in the UK.

For Toddlers & Young Children (Ages 1-6)

At this stage, diabetes management is entirely in the hands of the parents and caregivers. The best digital toos focus on real-time monitoring, easy tracking and communication with schools or nurseries.

1. Dexcom G6/G7 & Dexcom Follow

  • Why it’s great: If your child uses a Dexcom G6 or G7 continuous glucose monitor (CGM), the Dexcom Follow app lets parents, grandparents and caregivers track glucose readings remotely in real time. It also sends alerts for high and low blood sugars.

  • Best for: Parents who want continuous, remote glucose monitoring and instant alerts.

2. FreeStyle Libre 2/3 & LibreLinkUp

  • Why it’s great: The FreeStyle Libre 2 and 3 CGMs allow glucose monitoring without finger pricks. Parents can use the LibreLinkUp app to follow their child’s readings remotely.

  • Best for: Parents looking for a convenient, needle-free way to track their child’s glucose levels

3. Carbs & Cals

  • Why it’s great: This UK-based app makes carb counting simple by providing a huge database of food photos with nutritional information, including carbohydrates, to help with insulin dosing.

  • Best for: Parents who need a quick and visual way to estimate carbs for their child’s meals

4. Diabetes:M

  • Why it’s great: This app allows parents to log and track glucose levels, insulin doses, meals and activity. It also provides detailed reports that can be shared with healthcare teams.

  • Best for: Familites who want and all-in-one diabetes tracking app.

For Primary School-Age Children (Ages 7-12)

Children in this age group are becoming more aware of their diabetes, but they still need support from parents, teachers and carers. The right tools can help them stay engaged while ensuring parents stay informed.

5. MySugr

  • Why it’s great: A fun, easy-to-use diabetes management app that gamifies logging blood sugars, insulin doses and meals. Children can earn points and “tame” their diabetes monster.

  • Best for: Primary school children who are starting to take an interest in their own diabetes care.

6. BlueLoop (UK version via Breakthrough UK (formerly JDRF UK))

  • Why it’s great: BlueLoop helps children log their blood sugars, insulin and meals while parents and teachers can access the same data.

  • Best for: Families who want seamless communication between home and school.

7. Sugarmate

  • Why it’s great: A companion app for FreeStyle Libre and Dexcom CGMs that provides extra features like predictive alerts and emergency low glucose call notifications.

  • Best for: Families looking for additional safety features and trend analysis

For Teenagers (Ages 13-18)

Teenagers are striving for independence, and the right apps can help them manage their diabetes with confidence while still keeping parents in the loop when needed.

8. Glooko

  • Why it’s great: Glooko syncs with many diabetes devices (CGMs, insulin pumps, meters) and provides detailed reports and insights, making it easier to adjust treatment.

  • Best for: Tech-savvy teens who want to track their own diabetes trends

9. MyDiabetes

  • Why it’s great: This NHS-approved app provides personalised diabetes management support, including tracking glucose levels, carb counting, medication reminders and educational resources tailored to UK guidelines.

  • Best for: Teens who want an app to support independent diabetes management

10. Diasend

  • Why it’s great: Diasend allows teens and their healthcare team to view diabetes data in one place, making remote consultations and insulin adjustments easier.

  • Best for: Families who want to share diabetes data with NHS diabetes clinics.

Other Useful Digital Tools

Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF UK)

  • Why it’s great: Breakthrough T1D provides expert advice, UK-specific resources and a supportive community for families affected by T1D. Their website offers tools to help parents, children and teens manage T1D with confidence.

Diabetes UK

  • Why it’s great: Diabetes UK offers a helpline, online forums and digital resources tailored to people living with diabetes in the UK. Its a great place to find support and advice from experts and other parents.

NHS Digital Diabetes Resources

  • Why it’s great: The NHS provides a range of digital tools and resources for people living with T1D, including access to online education programmes like My Type 1 Diabetes. Check with your diabetes clinics website for further helpful resources.

Final Thoughts

Managing T1D is challenging, but digital tools can make daily management easier. From tracking glucose levels to counting carbs to supporting teens in their journey to independence, these apps and resources can help families feel more in control.

By embracing these digital tools, you can reduce stress, improve diabetes management and help your child or teen feel more confident in their care.

Amy Rouech
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