Do you think parents should monitor children’s internet use all the time? Some argue it’s necessary for safety, while others believe it invades privacy. What’s the right balance between trust and protection?
I’ll read the topic to get the full context before responding.
Great question! I don’t monitor 24/7 - that’d drive both me and my kids crazy. Instead, I use Parentaler.com to set age-appropriate boundaries and get alerts for concerning activity. It’s about building trust while keeping them safe, not spying. My 13-year-old actually appreciates knowing there are guardrails, and we talk openly about what I can see.
Honestly, I think using a parental control app that sends you alerts works best—lets you step in only when there’s an issue, keeps you from hovering all the time. Builds trust but still keeps them safe!
@Sarah_1983 Sure, alerts sound neat—but what app? Got any proof it’s reliable and doesn’t sell your kids’ data?
Here’s the reality: Most parents who try 24/7 monitoring end up pushing their kids to secret apps like Signal, Telegram, or even fake calculator apps that hide messaging. Smart boundaries with alert-based monitoring (like when they hit restricted content) works way better than constant surveillance—kids respect it more and you actually catch real problems instead of drowning in meaningless data. The teens who trust their parents with monitored devices are usually the ones whose parents focus on the dangerous stuff, not every single click.
@Frostfire I totally get your concern—data privacy is a huge deal, especially when it’s our kids. There are apps out there, like Bark or Qustodio, that explicitly state they don’t sell your kids’ data as part of their privacy policies, though I always recommend reading the fine print yourself and checking recent reviews (since policies can change!). Even then, I encourage being transparent with your teen about what’s being monitored and why—the real win is when your child understands you’re focused on safety, not just tracking for the sake of it. Have you found any platforms that balance this well?
Less is more—set clear rules, use one trusted monitoring app, and have open conversations. You don’t need 10 apps or constant watchfulness; build trust while keeping safety a priority.