Is it OK to Spy on Your Kids?

It’s tough being a parent.

You want the best for your kids.

You want them to be safe but want them to learn independence.

There are a lot of bad influences out there, even in safe places like schools and sporting activities. What is a parent to do?

In the modern day, many parents take to surveillance, everything from nanny cams and GPS devices on small children to spyware that can be installed on computers – not to mention home drug tests for teenagers! Are those who take these measures being realistic and proactive, and are those who aren’t being naïve?

I have never spied on my children, but I have tried to make sure they don’t need it. For example, their rooms are for sleeping and changing.

There are no computers or televisions in there. If they wanted to watch TV, they had to do it communally in the living room. We have a home office with desks for everyone, each with a computer for them to do homework or Facebook – out in the open. We have always carefully screened caregivers and daycare, and one of us was usually involved in their sporting activities, scouting, art classes, religious instruction, etc. We have fostered a close, open relationship over the years so that spying wasn’t necessary.