Image via Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock
A recent study by internet mobile and security firm BullGuard explored the concerns and fears of parents of teenagers using the internet and social media and discovered that many have turned to devious tactics to keep track of their kids.
BullGuard surveyed 2,000 parents of children aged 10 to 17 and found that 61pc regularly snoop on their kids, and 1 in 5 have been shocked by content found on their child’s email, text or Facebook account.
Nosy parents believe they are breaching their kids’ trust for good reason, and 30pc feel this invasion of privacy is a necessary precaution.
Parents’ chief concerns were who their kids chat to online, how much time they spend on the internet, and the type of sites they visit. On social media, mams and dads are most worried about the fact that their kids could be in touch with complete strangers. These concerns may be heightened now that Facebook has made teen accounts less private.
“It’s understandable to want to keep tabs on the sites [their children] are visiting but whether to read private emails, texts and messages poses a real quandary for parents,” says Alex Balan, head of product management at BullGuard. “Whilst you want to look out for your child and ensure they are safe you also want them to be technologically savvy and have their own independence,” he added.
Balan recommends parents implement parental controls on gadgets and computers used by children, and unobtrusive tools will allow them to keep tabs on kids discreetly.
Mother and son image by Monkey Business Images via Shutterstock
