Did you know that 97% of kids aged 11 to 17 admit to using their phones during the school day? And they’re not just using the Calculator app. They’re chatting, watching TikTok, and socializing when they shouldn’t be.
It gets worse. More than half of teens in the US have experienced cyberbullying, according to a recent survey. And they don’t feel supported by teachers, social media companies, and politicians.
It’s scary stuff on the surface. But should parents monitor their children’s social media just because of a few chilling statistics? There are pros and cons to doing so. Need help making your list? We have you covered.
Table Of Contents
Pros of Monitoring Social Media
It Can Help You Discover and Deal With Cyberbullying
Should parents have access to their child’s social media account? Absolutely, especially with cyberbullying so prevalent in social media apps.
And if you think bullying is restricted to commenting on someone’s Instagram story or using a laughing emoji to react to someone’s very serious Facebook post, think again. The majority of cyberbullying happens in private through social media chat apps like Messenger, Snapchat, and Instagram.
You’ll Know if They’re Doing Something Illegal
The internet opens the doors to a world of possibilities. Unfortunately, many of them can be dangerous or illegal.
We’re talking about things like drugs or underage drinking — not to mention illegal things that you’ve never even thought of. If there’s one reason why should parents have access to their child’s social media, stopping them from embarking on a path toward something that could ruin their life is number one.
You Can Stop Online Predators in Their Tracks
It’s sad but true. As amazing as social media is for meeting and connecting with new friends, it’s also the ultimate predator’s playground. Unfortunately, social media is full of creeps who want to harm your kids. Maybe emotionally or psychologically. Possibly even physically.
As you make your list of pros and cons of parents monitoring social media, put this one at the top of the Pros column.
Cons of Monitoring Social Media
It Can Lead to Trust Issues
Why should parents not monitor their children’s social media? At the top of our list is trust. If your kids know that you’re monitoring their every move, they might not trust you.
And when it comes to fostering great parent-child relationships, trust is paramount. You want your kids to trust you. You want them to confide in you and tell you anything. But if they don’t think they can trust you, they won’t tell you when they’re in trouble.
It Can Hinder Their Freedom
Think about what life was like when you were a child or teenager.
Did your parents pick up the phone to listen in as you chatted with your friends? And if you conversed by messenger or email when you were a teen, did they stand over your shoulder and read your conversations? Probably not. If they did, you’d feel less free to live your life. That’s the same for kids today.
The method they communicate might be different, but their desire for freedom is the same. And when children don’t feel free, they might be more inclined to act out and get into trouble.
You Might Overreact
Have you ever seen the 1980s TV show Three’s Company? Every episode involves a misunderstanding that leads to absolute chaos and hilarity. In an episode called “The Love Diary”, the landlord falsely assumes that an X-rated book is his tenant’s diary — and that she’s madly in love with him.
The scenario isn’t so farfetched. Just imagine that you read something controversial in your child’s social media chats. You, too, might overreact and assume the worst. But unfortunately, the end result likely won’t be as funny as Three’s Company.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
There are pros and cons of parents monitoring social media.
Before you make your decision of what to do, it’s important to make your own list. Is giving them freedom more important than their safety? Do you trust them enough to not worry that they’re engaging in illegal activity? Are they going to listen to you when you tell them not to talk to strangers online?
If even one item in your ‘Cons’ column gives you pause, it might be time to monitor their social media activity. Thankfully, there’s an app that’s designed to put your mind at ease and let them enjoy their freedom.
Be a Monitoring Pro with Eyezy
With Eyezy, you can monitor everything they’re doing on their phone while giving them the freedom to explore — and maintain their trust along the way.
Sound too good to be true? Not with Eyezy. It arms you with tools to find out what’s going on and keep them safe online. And it lets you do it without them knowing.
Yup, Eyezy comes with a feature called Invisible Shield. As you read their private social media chats, view their location, see the pics and videos saved on their phone, read their texts and emails, view screenshots of their phone as they use their favorite apps, and more, Eyezy keeps you hidden.
You can see Eyezy in action by checking out the demo. Once you take it for a quick spin, you’ll never wonder should parents monitor their children’s social media. The answer will be a resounding yes.
