Parents...do you read your child's text messages or listen into their phone calls?

Question

Or even eves drop into a conversation they are having with a friend?

I was just wondering out of curiosity?

And tell the truth! :)

Answer 1

thats creepy unless they have some sort of drug problem or sumthin serious

Answer 2

I'm not a parent, but i know it must be tempting. However, your child is entitled to his or her own privacy.  If you are concerned about something, ask him or her in person.  My parents respected my privacy and I very much appreciated that.  

Answer 3

We have a very pro-child privacy policy in our house.

Both of my girls have the right to privacy, but we will suspend that right when their safety becomes an issue.

My 13 year old has a cell phone and we do not look at her text messages. Also, we do not listen into phone calls, although sometimes it is hard not to overhear.

We do not search rooms, but if the room becomes a pig sty or they are obviously hiding something, we certainly enter.

Internet is much the same.  We reserve the right to audit, but we certainly don't snoop.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

When my daughter grows up I will only look through her stuff when she gives me a reason to.  

Answer 5

reading your children's text messages could be scary to you when you find out things that really shock you. be prepared to whatever you find out you do have to deal with . all of the sudden the next day you have this chip on your shoulder and for the life of them they do not know what they did. then Finlay you break down and tell them . you could ruin them coming t you for someone they trust

Answer 6

yes i know that you feel like you are being noesy but thats the only way you will find out if anything bad is going on. they will not just up and tell you. if they are under 18, they are children so they shouldnt have privacy. its called good parenting.

Answer 7

My mom does it to me and my brother and I hate it. I'm like excuse me and she says she was just looking for a number. I hate it.

Answer 8

I think children should have privacy but if they have done something in the past that could put them in danger of drugs or pregnancy or whatever yes I would do this ...

But I think parents who SUSPECT their child of walking in the wrong path should talk to them and ask ... if they think their child is lying they should keep an eye but not snoop around

Answer 9

My kids do not text their friends and I do not listen to their conversations. They do not have cell phones. The oldest got one when he could drive and the other two will two. There is no reason for them to have one. I know what goes on in their lives and they have given me no reason not to trust them. If and when there are problems I will deal with them then.  

Answer 10

Only if I absolutely, positively, without a doubt think there's something I NEED to know to help keep him safe.

Otherwise, I go out of my way not to read his IM's/texts/notes/mail. I really don't want to know what he's saying to his friends.

My husband, however, reads stuff if he comes across it lying around the house. He says that if the kid doesn't want it read then the kid should put it away in his room.

Answer 11

No need....

Unless your kids are stupid and have no will power...

Answer 12

I dont have any kids to do that with yet, my parents I know did it to me, but I was living in their home and they have the right to know what was going on