Why not tell the kid that the app exists. THEN, it is simply monitoring.

Doing it secretly is pretty shitty.

I do not have kids. But, friends that do have told their young teen kids that they have to have access to social media, etc (passwords and logins to be able to see PMs). Kids are forewarned that they may be "checked up on" and it is a condition of using the service.

i am not sure where I stand on THAT...but, at least it is up front.

This post was edited on 8/14/14 at 9:38 am

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Posted by Salmon

On the trails

Member since Feb 2008

83653 posts

Posted on 8/14/14 at 9:38 am to BlackHelicopterPilot

quote:
Why not tell the kid that the app exists. THEN, it is simply monitoring.

this

when my daughter is 14, you better be sure I'm going to check up on whatever social media exists every now and then, but I'll be upfront about it

hiding it is really sketchy

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Posted by Darth_Vader

A galaxy far, far away

Member since Dec 2011

64963 posts

Posted on 8/14/14 at 10:00 am to BlackHelicopterPilot

quote:
Why not tell the kid that the app exists. THEN, it is simply monitoring.

This. First off he's a 14 yr old kid that is living under your roof, eating your food, and wearing clothes you bought him. And finally, you bought him that phone and are paying for the service on that bill. That's not his phone. That's your phone that you allow him to use. And he needs to know that you can and will inspect that phone at anytime you choose and without any warning. There should be zero expectancy on their part of being able to hide anything from you. You're their parent, you're not their friend, nor are you simply their landlord.

bottom line, don't try to be cute and hide from your kids the fact that your doing your job as a parent.

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Posted by CAT

Central Arkansas

Member since Aug 2006

7102 posts

Posted on 8/14/14 at 10:33 am to BlackHelicopterPilot

quote:
Why not tell the kid that the app exists. THEN, it is simply monitoring.

This. Got our 12 year old a phone, no smart phone, just for calls and texts when he's at ball practice etc. We told him straight up that we will look at the phone/texts and this is our phone he is using. This was the conditions before he got it.

I think what the mom is doing is not the best way and could be handled much better but good gosh some of you talking like its ok for them to send nudes at 14.