Questions and Answers with Paul Tripp My teen is finding ways to hide apps, content, and messages on his or her phone. Do I put restrictions on my teen’s devices? Do teens have a right to privacy, or can I snoop around for my child’s protection? When Steve Jobs created the iPhone, the culture of the entire world changed. Smartphones can be powerful tools for good, but many negative resources are available through these devices as well. If your teen has a smartphone in his pocket, it is harder than ever to control the influences in his life because the device makes the entire world available—the world in all its beauty and all its deep darkness. You must be concerned about this; I don’t think it’s possible to be too concerned. You must be proactive, and you must be ready. There is significant pressure on parents to put mobile devices in their children’s hands: pressure from other parents, pressure from their kids, pressure from their friends, pressure from celebrities, media, and advertising. These devices make your life easier, and they make it easier for you to track your kids. On the internet, on social media, and through messaging, however, there’s way more foolishness than there is wisdom. It’s powerful, 231
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