What would you feel if someone reads your text messages, e-mails or online chat records? I am sure you will feel frustrated, uncomfortable and even angry toward that person. However, what if that person is your parent? Would you feel the same way too?
Nowadays, some parents would like to check their children’s mobile phone text messages, e-mails or online chat records to know more about their children’s lives. Some parents may sneak into their children’s room and read the dialogues and messages on the online chat rooms like ICQ and MSN, secretly. They claim that they actually have the right and responsibility to do so for the sake of proper parental supervision. Nevertheless, I do not agree that proper parental supervision should be an excuse for infringing on their children’s privacy and be guaranteed in these ways.
Living in a technologically-advanced world it is understandable that parents would be more concerned about their children, especially in their social lives. Parents hope to know more about their children directly through these methods which are the easiest and the most convenient. By checking their children’s personal messages with their friends, they can know about their children and who they are making friends with. Teenagers nowadays are exposed to the cyber world where they can meet friends from children’s chat room messages; it allows them to get to know more about them in their social lives.
Another reason behind is that parents have no time to talk to their children in this fast-moving and dynamic society. Parents spend less time with their kids and ultimately have fewer chances to communicate and chat with their children. In addition, busy parents usually think that it is a fast way and they have the right responsibility to access to their children’s ‘personal world’ for the sake of proper parental supervision. However, it often turns out to be a disaster or tragedy when children find out what their parents have done when they are not at home.
In my opinion, everyone should have his or her own privacy and to secure and keep it to themselves. There is no exception for children. Even though children may not be as mature as adults or grown-ups, they should have the right to have their own privacy for everyone is born to have it. Children may also feel sad, frustrated and uneasy when anyone infringes upon their privacy. Conflicts, fights and quarrels arise constantly which further worsen the relationship between parents and children. Mistrust also grows. In fact, even with good intentions, it is still not a proper and suitable way for parents to read their children’s private chat room messages, e-mails or messages. Thus, parents’ right to exercise their responsibilities should not be practised in such ways as to create conflicts with children’s right to have their privacy.
To strike a balance between parent’s responsibilities of supervision and children’s right to privacy, respect and trust are the keys. Instead of sneaking and peeking into children’s mobile phone messages, parents should spend more time talking to their children. This is easier and more direct and is a better way to know about their children’s lives. Through lively discussion and interactive communications, I am sure children will be more at ease to share with their parents their school lives and things happening around them in their daily lives.
Parents are role models for children to follow and learn from. They should step forward and take the initiative to show their love and concern through a direct way rather than intruding into their children’s privacy. In this way, children will be more willing to share their feelings and thoughts with their parents, and help to develop a better and healthier relationship. Children may also learn from their parents to be respectful and trustful to others in the future.