| |
Subject: |
Should I Spy on my Teenager? |
| Date: |
2009-05-12
|
|
Should I Spy on my Teenager?
Hi there. I'm Dr. Laura Schlessinger and welcome to my Dr. Laura You Tube Channel. We're here to give you information, some entertainment, have you get some of your questions answered, introduce you to all of my peeps, and take you on some trips. But right now, I'm going to answer a question from a mom, and I think this is one the most important kinds of questions parents can ask, especially these days with all the technology for communication and how it's being used and abused by our kidlets: "Is it okay to spy on your teenager's internet activity?"
Here's my answer: you darn well better.
Now, if you're sort of paranoid and neurotic and spending all of your time peeking into every drawer and sock that your kids have to find out everything that's going on, then you need to pull yourself back and figure out what your fears really are about. But if you are your basic responsible parent, it is your obligation to use whatever means possible you have to make sure your kids are on the right track (and don't give me, [in whiny voice] "I trust my kids. I don't want them to think I don't trust them."). They're KIDS! Of course they can't be trusted. Let's be honest with each other, I'm a parent, you're a parent, our kids when they're young are impulsive. They don't really understand the long range consequences, so they don't think down the line of what could happen when they take these little cell phone pictures of themselves and put them on the Internet when they're in their all-togethers, and think it's cute and it's bonding with the rest of their little teenage community. There are a lot of rough things your kids can get involved in, and people can have access to your kids through the Internet because you can lie your brains out when you're emailing as to who you are and what your intent is.
I believe that no minor child should have free access to the internet. I think the computer should be in the middle of the house, there should be a lock on it and a parent should be available to supervise. If you think I'm way out of my mind and way over the line...you might not be there to protect your kids when they most need you.
Now, go do the right thing. I'm Dr. Laura Schlessinger and thank you for coming to our Dr. Laura You Tube Channel. Come again!
Back
|
|
