Parenting is a challenging journey, especially with each new generation. Today’s parents face unique challenges, including the internet and smartphones. These advancements bring about debates on screen time for kids. One mom, Laura Muse from North Carolina, stirred up a discussion when she revealed that she checks her kids’ phones to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

Giving kids smartphones is becoming increasingly common as they serve a multitude of purposes. However, as parents, it’s crucial to wait until the right time and monitor how children use these devices. Striking the balance between being cautious and respecting their privacy can be tricky.

In 2022, Laura Muse, a 41-year-old mental health clinician and mom of two teenagers, shared her perspective. Her children, aged 15 and 17, hand over their phones to her at night to avoid staying up late. Laura believes that since she pays for the phones, she has the right to go through them whenever necessary. Some may view this as invasive, but for Laura, it’s how she manages things in her household.

Laura began checking her kids’ phones when they were 11, and she continues to do so as teenagers. Although she trusts her children, she wants to ensure their online safety and protect them from potentially harmful interactions or inappropriate content. When she does find something concerning, Laura takes the opportunity to have a conversation and educate her kids. For her, it’s about maintaining open communication and learning from mistakes.

While many people understand Laura’s perspective, others believe that parents should respect their children’s boundaries and not invade their privacy. On social media platforms like TikTok, users have criticized parents for snooping on their kids’ phones. They argue that phones, like personal spaces such as bedrooms, should remain private.

What are your thoughts on this matter? Should parents have the right to check their kids’ phones, or is it an invasion of privacy? We’d love to hear your opinions in the comments below.