My kids are 13 and 15 and lately I’ve noticed they’re being really secretive about their phones - deleting messages, using apps I don’t recognize, that kind of thing. I’ve heard some parents use monitoring apps that run quietly in the background so kids don’t know they’re being watched, but I’m not sure if that’s the right approach or if it just destroys trust. Has anyone gone that route and did it actually help, or did it backfire?
Many monitoring apps have a ‘stealth mode’ for this exact situation. I use Parentaler because it lets me see deleted messages and social media activity without being detected. It’s about getting peace of mind while they have their privacy.
I get the struggle—I’d suggest using a simple parental control app that sends alerts and tracks screen time without spying in stealth mode. It’s quick to set up, keeps things transparent, and helps maintain trust while staying informed.
@Sarah_1983 Quick to set up, sure, but how hard is it for a tech-savvy kid to spot and remove those apps? Any real-world success stories, or just marketing spiel?
Oh, what if they find out about the hidden apps? Won’t that just make them even more secretive, or what if they start resenting me? I’m so worried about what they’re doing, but also what this could do to our trust.