Should Parents Spy on Their Kids?
When asked if parents should spy on their kids, my answer is usually no.
Spying happens when trust and respect are absent.
Spying is a negative action and associated with words like secretive, investigate, covert, and close observation.
This is not to say that parents shouldn't know what their kids are doing or who their friends are.
But there are other, more healthy ways to be involved.
When we hear about spying on kids, most of the focus is on their virtual lives and rightly so.
With so much technology and how easy it is to make private information public, it is a parent's job to know what their kids are doing online, on their cell phones, cameras, or any other electronic device.
Instead of wondering whether to spy or not, parents should work on open communication with their kids so there isn't even a need to spy.
Start early.
As soon as you allow them access to the virtual world, let them know you will be looking at their phones and online accounts periodically.
Be upfront and firm about it.
Remind them that if they are not doing anything wrong, they should have no problem with you seeing their text messages, Facebook posts, or the photos they are sharing.
You, as the parent, are not violating their privacy.
You are doing what a parent needs to do to keep your kids safe and healthy.
Take time to sit with them occasionally when they are surfing online or chatting or playing video games.
Educate them about Internet safety.
Give them real-life examples of what could happen if they are not careful and keep their personal information private.
A little fear can be a good deterrent and keep a child from making a big mistake.
Expect that you will get resistance at first.
Too many of today's kids have become accustomed to having free rein on their virtual world so if you haven't gotten involved yet or have resorted to spying, try open communication and work on building trust and respect.
Loving our kids, caring about them, watching out for them, teaching them, keeping them safe is what parenting is all about.
However, spying on them isn't necessary.
It only adds to the bigger problem.
Kids try to hide more.
Parents feel the need to spy more and the cycle never ends.
"Ah, these kids today!" is what every generation has probably said.
Parenting has never been an easy job but technology has made it more challenging than ever, but not impossible.
Start the open communication today and remember, you are the parent!
Spying happens when trust and respect are absent.
Spying is a negative action and associated with words like secretive, investigate, covert, and close observation.
This is not to say that parents shouldn't know what their kids are doing or who their friends are.
But there are other, more healthy ways to be involved.
When we hear about spying on kids, most of the focus is on their virtual lives and rightly so.
With so much technology and how easy it is to make private information public, it is a parent's job to know what their kids are doing online, on their cell phones, cameras, or any other electronic device.
Instead of wondering whether to spy or not, parents should work on open communication with their kids so there isn't even a need to spy.
Start early.
As soon as you allow them access to the virtual world, let them know you will be looking at their phones and online accounts periodically.
Be upfront and firm about it.
Remind them that if they are not doing anything wrong, they should have no problem with you seeing their text messages, Facebook posts, or the photos they are sharing.
You, as the parent, are not violating their privacy.
You are doing what a parent needs to do to keep your kids safe and healthy.
Take time to sit with them occasionally when they are surfing online or chatting or playing video games.
Educate them about Internet safety.
Give them real-life examples of what could happen if they are not careful and keep their personal information private.
A little fear can be a good deterrent and keep a child from making a big mistake.
Expect that you will get resistance at first.
Too many of today's kids have become accustomed to having free rein on their virtual world so if you haven't gotten involved yet or have resorted to spying, try open communication and work on building trust and respect.
Loving our kids, caring about them, watching out for them, teaching them, keeping them safe is what parenting is all about.
However, spying on them isn't necessary.
It only adds to the bigger problem.
Kids try to hide more.
Parents feel the need to spy more and the cycle never ends.
"Ah, these kids today!" is what every generation has probably said.
Parenting has never been an easy job but technology has made it more challenging than ever, but not impossible.
Start the open communication today and remember, you are the parent!
