Is checking your teen’s phone an invasion of privacy?

The issue of whether parents checking their teen’s phone is an invasion of privacy is contentious. On the one hand, parents argue it is their responsibility to monitor their child’s behaviour and ensure the child’s safety. On the other hand, teens argue it is an invasion of their privacy and undermines their trust.

Parents who support monitoring believe they have a responsibility to make sure their child is not engaging in dangerous or inappropriate behaviour, such as sexting or cyberbullying. They also argue that monitoring their child’s phone can help prevent the child being targeted by online predators.

However, teens who oppose phone monitoring believe their parents should trust them to make good decisions and respect their right to privacy. They also argue that phone monitoring can be counterproductive because it can lead them to being more secretive and hiding their behaviour from their parents.

I believe there is a middle ground. As parents get involved in their teen’s online activities and show interest in the apps and websites the teen uses, they begin to develop a rapport with their child around technology and can educate themselves on the features available to their child through these apps. This opens the door to discussing with the child the importance of keeping safe online and teaching them how to safely use technology, with a view to them managing it themselves in the future. Checking the phone with your child enables them to have input and enables you to take advantage of moments that present opportunities for teaching.

In the end, the decision to monitor a teen’s phone should be based on the family’s individual circumstances. If there are concerns about a teen’s behaviour or safety, it may be necessary for parents to monitor the teen’s phone. However, if a teen is generally responsible and trustworthy, it may be more appropriate to respect their privacy and trust them to make good decisions.

The issue of parents monitoring their teen’s phone is a complex one with valid arguments on both sides. Ultimately, the decision should be based on the best interests of the child, the parents’ parenting beliefs and morals, and the family.

www.linkedin.com/in/nicolle-embra-804259122 www.linkedin.com/company/the-cyber-safety-tech-mum www.thetechmum.com www.facebook.com/TheTechMum www.pinterest.com.au/thetechmum