When we first introduced our son to his smartphone, we emphasized the importance of using it wisely. We advised him to avoid calls from unknown numbers and stressed that the device was meant for more than just chatting with friends. When he received his email account, I ensured that I could access it through my tablet. While I don’t delve into his conversations, I do take care of spam and unsubscribe him from unwanted mailing lists. However, I draw the line at invasive spying, despite having the means to do so.
In stark contrast to my approach, the South Korean government has taken a much more intrusive stance. They have developed an app called Smart Sheriff, designed not only to block minors from accessing pornography and inappropriate content but also to allow parents to monitor their children’s phone usage and activities. There are similar applications that provide location tracking and send alerts if certain sensitive terms are searched, such as suicide or bullying.
What makes this particularly concerning is that South Korean authorities mandate phone companies to install such monitoring apps on devices owned by anyone under 18. There’s effectively no option to opt out, although some savvy parents might circumvent the system by passing down older phones to their children.
Apart from the issue of forced app installation, which would face fierce opposition in the U.S., we must consider how much oversight is appropriate when it comes to our children. Don’t they deserve some privacy? It’s not entirely different from sneaking a peek at their diaries, is it? Perhaps it is somewhat different. A scene from Law & Order: SVU resonates with me, where a father expresses his fear not of his daughter’s actions online, but of the dangers posed by others. I share similar anxieties, even if I’m not a detective. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t want to invade my kids’ private thoughts, nor would I want to install an app that tracks every move they make online or offline. Danger exists beyond the digital realm, and it’s more beneficial to prepare our kids to recognize threats rather than fostering resentment through constant surveillance.
When I notice my son spending too much time on his devices, we set limits until his homework is complete or simply ask him to take a break. I also make a conscious effort not to be glued to my own tablet during these discussions, as I often realize I’m the one spending excessive time on screens in our household.
Maybe I should let my kids install an app on my phone to remind me to put down the email and games and spend time with them instead. Or they could just ask me directly—no software needed. For further insights into navigating parenthood and technology, check out a related post here.
In conclusion, while tools for monitoring kids exist, we need to weigh the consequences of invasive technology against the importance of trust and independence.