Ask HN: Do you 'spy' on your child's online activities?

1 point

11 years ago

This article on QZ [1] argues that safety always trumps privacy when it comes to children's online activity. To ensure safety it mentions an app [2] that monitors all your child's online activity. You can read all chats (sms, social networks) your child is having.

In this interview [3] the co-founder says she's using the app on her 17 year old. My initial reaction was 'wtf'?

Safety is important, but I think this is taking it too far and it's quite creepy. Also is teensafe harvesting all that data and storing it on their servers?

I think it would be better to educate your child about the online world and build trust, so whenever something doesn't seem right your child doesn't feel like (s)he has to hide something from you and can talk to you etc.

I've recommended to my friends to buy a 2nd router just for the kids and use opendns' parental controls (e.g. block adult sites, set time limits for social networks etc).

How do you ensure your kid is safe online or how do you manage their online activities, so they don't waste time and consume crap all the time?

Disclaimer: I'm not a parent

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[1] http://qz.com/415769/when-it-comes-to-my-teens-online-activity-safety-trumps-privacy-every-time/

[2] http://www.teensafe.com/

[3] https://vimeo.com/121489349

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