How far are you willing to go to keep track of your child? When your kids say they are going to a new friends’ house – do you just let them go or do you ask questions, get phone numbers and meet the parents? Of course you would do your due diligence and check into these new friends. How important is it that you share similar values with the new friends’ family? If you’re willing to go to any length as a parent to ensure your child’s safety, physically – what are you doing about making sure they are also digitally safe? Technology these days gets a bad rap, much like those rock-n-roll music did in the 50’s. It’s not the music, nor is it technology that is harming our kids.
I will be the first to admit that I as a parent, have gotten spoiled knowing that at almost any time of the day or night – I can reach my children whether they are home or away. The expectation has been discussed with my kids regarding the fact that when I reach out to them via their cell phones– they had better answer. I’m not trying to sound like this crazy over-protective parent; I’m far from that. I have two teenagers, one is 19 the other is 15 and both have earned a certain level of respect and privacy, just for today. I will however take away their cell phones and Internet access but where there’s a will – there’s a way; teenagers can be a very determined group. That hasn’t changed since I was a teen, if I wanted to do something badly enough, I would figure out how to do it. I understand that and it definitely enters my mind as I try to parent them, to the best of my ability.
Do you feel it’s invading your child’s privacy to go through their cell phones, their bedroom or check to see what’s in their backpacks? Respect is earned and lost as we make decisions and encounter the consequences. When I found out my son was mixed up in some things he shouldn’t be – there was nothing that was out of bounds. As long as he lives under my roof and is supported by me, those are the rules.
So how do you balance things in your home? What about if your kids have more than one household, do they have different rules when they are at the other house? As a parent, are you willing to go to any length to ensure your child’s safety – whether it is physically or digitally? What does keeping your child digitally safe mean to you?