Many parents are worried about what their kids are doing on their phones. With so many risks online, like cyberbullying and catfishing, it’s no wonder they are concerned.
A recent survey found that 54% of parents are monitoring their teenagers’ phone activities in at least two different ways. One of these parents is Laura Muse from the US, who admits to checking her kids’ phones regularly.
Laura, a mental health clinician, takes her teenage son’s phone every night before he goes to sleep. She also keeps an eye on both her son and daughter’s online activities and messages.
Laura told the New York Post, “I own their phones, I pay for the phones. I can go through them whenever I want.” She believes this is how she stays in control of her household.
On TikTok, Laura has shared her parenting approach. In one viral video, she stands with her son while a song with the lyrics “This is no big deal” plays. The text on the screen says, “Me every time I look through my teenager’s phone.”
The video has sparked a debate online. It has gathered over one million views, with many parents agreeing with Laura. One commenter wrote, “My daughter had to turn her phone in every night at bedtime, and yes, I looked at it. It’s for their protection.”
Another parent added, “It’s no big deal because you’ve done a great job raising them! You are truly blessed with amazing kids.”
However, not everyone agrees. Some believe that checking their kids’ phones is an invasion of privacy. One person commented, “Why do you go through his phone? Let him have privacy.” Another added, “My mom doesn’t check my phone unless I give her a reason not to trust me.”
Laura responded to these concerns, saying, “I pay for the phone, and when you have nothing to hide because we can openly talk about life, it’s no big deal… Sorry you don’t have that in your life.”
The discussion highlights the balance between protecting kids and respecting their privacy, a challenge many parents face today.