Technology And Spying
Today, technology is a rampant aspect of our society that continues to grow, but not always in the right way. Parents have resorted to using apps to track their children’s phones as well as spy on their social media and messaging for various reasons. Dangerous lines are being crossed and teenagers and kids alike are suffering. There are many sides to this issue, including those who find no problem in spying on kids (even if the kids themselves are not told), and those who whole-heartedly oppose the idea. In this speech, I will be looking at four articles that take a stance on this spectrum and decide whether parents tracking and spying on their kids is something a responsible parent does, or whether it creates more trouble than its worth. And for me, the answer is simple: parents shouldn’t spy on their children. My first source is an article from Make Use Of called “Should
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Parents Spy on Their Kids?” by Ryan Dube. The author argues that parents have the right to monitor their children, especially with fears of abduction and other crimes and because of the lack of experience kids have. Dube states that “As of 2010, according to the National Survey of Children’s Health in the U.S., in 2010 a whopping 11.4% of parents sometimes felt like their kids weren’t safe in their own community.” He uses ethos and logos to show the credibility of the survey and the “frightening” numbers that should make parents worry. Although this article was written a few years ago, the author uses a statistic from 2010, which was 7 years ago and not very relevant now. Also, the author tries to use the loaded word “whopping,” but overall, 11.4 percent really isn’t that big of a number, especially since parents “sometimes” feel this way. The author tries to make arguments like these, but ultimately fails to back up many of his claims. Much like his statement saying, “…flipping the switch and opening the floodgates without appropriately monitoring who is communicating with your children is irresponsible as a parent.” He throws this underhanded insult out to make parents feel like they should be ashamed for not tracking and spying on their children. This article is just one fear tactic after another. Secondly, in an article from USA Today called “Teen tracking apps: Good parenting or risky?” by Lori Grisham, she reasons that parents have a right to know what their kids are doing and makes blanket statements for all parents. She says, “If we don’t know what is going on in their digital world we can’t protect them, we can’t guide them.” Like the previous article, the author does nothing to back this statement up. She also uses the word “we” to try and encompass all parents, making a blanket statement. Not to mention that snooping in someone’s private life doesn’t mean you can protect or guide someone better. A parent can do that by talking to their child and teaching them to be responsible and aware. The author also argues that “parents are entitled to know about their children’s digital activities as long as they’re under their care.” She tries to make a logical argument but ends up falling short. Using the word “entitled” creates a negative connotation, saying that parents have the right to spy. However, children and teenagers, like everyone else, have privacy rights too and they shouldn’t get swept under the rug. Next, in an article from the Chicago Tribune called “Spy-master parents might uncover trust problems” by John Keilman, the author speaks from personal experience with tracking, saying that it felt wrong, and comments on the mistrust that can be created when parents spy behind kids’ backs. On tracking his child, he says, “It was a wonderful feeling to observe him from afar — a bit God-like…” and that it “…was easy to justify, because I was spying only to make sure everything was OK. It took me a few days to realize that that is the same rationalization you'd probably hear at the National Security Agency.” The author is completely truthful and speaks from first-hand experience. He also makes comparisons to the NSA, painting himself as the bad guy. In the article, the author even says that he understands why a lot of parents choose to do this, however, he says that he does not condone the behavior. Keilman also states “If you spy on them and discover something, then what? The very first question a teenager will have is, 'How did you know that?” This statement is logical and makes the argument that if parents don’t trust their kids, they can harbor anger towards them and withdraw even further. Once the parent is “caught,” they could potentially lose the relationship they have with their child My final source is an article from Nautilus called “Parents Shouldn’t Spy on Their Kids” by Kirsten Weir.
This article strikes home the point that children and teenagers are at a critical point in their life when they need space to find themselves and develop individuality. The author says, “There’s a fine line between protection and obsession.” The word “obsession” automatically gives off a negative vibe and shows that parents usually teeter between these two ideas. She furthers reasons that “A parent’s desire to spy might have less to do with keeping kids safe, and more to do with a burning desire to lower his or her own anxiety.” This statement uses a lot of pathos to uncover what might be lying below a parent’s “reasons” to spy on their child’s life. Words like “desire” and “anxiety” show that the parent should not use their own worries and fears to justify spying. They should rather give the child space to figure things out, and that means making mistakes. Parents should strive to discuss important issues and dangers with their child rather than taking away independence and
privacy. Overall, there may always be a debate surrounding spying and tracking children, especially with the ever-present shadow of technology, but that doesn’t mean all common sense should be lost. Children, especially during the critical teenage years, need space to become independent individuals and are likely to rebel against anything that might prevent them from doing so. Although most parents are coming from a place of worry and fear, these emotions are usually misplaced and end up doing more harm than good. Parents shouldn’t spy on their children, they should trust their children to take what they’ve learned and start to become an adult. Because of technology and its growth, this issue is more important now than ever. Parents need to remember what it felt like to be that age, understand that our world is different now, and to empathize with their kids. Children shouldn’t feel spied on or untrusted—they need parents who lighten the leash and understand another perspective.
Parents Spy on Their Kids?” by Ryan Dube. The author argues that parents have the right to monitor their children, especially with fears of abduction and other crimes and because of the lack of experience kids have. Dube states that “As of 2010, according to the National Survey of Children’s Health in the U.S., in 2010 a whopping 11.4% of parents sometimes felt like their kids weren’t safe in their own community.” He uses ethos and logos to show the credibility of the survey and the “frightening” numbers that should make parents worry. Although this article was written a few years ago, the author uses a statistic from 2010, which was 7 years ago and not very relevant now. Also, the author tries to use the loaded word “whopping,” but overall, 11.4 percent really isn’t that big of a number, especially since parents “sometimes” feel this way. The author tries to make arguments like these, but ultimately fails to back up many of his claims. Much like his statement saying, “…flipping the switch and opening the floodgates without appropriately monitoring who is communicating with your children is irresponsible as a parent.” He throws this underhanded insult out to make parents feel like they should be ashamed for not tracking and spying on their children. This article is just one fear tactic after another. Secondly, in an article from USA Today called “Teen tracking apps: Good parenting or risky?” by Lori Grisham, she reasons that parents have a right to know what their kids are doing and makes blanket statements for all parents. She says, “If we don’t know what is going on in their digital world we can’t protect them, we can’t guide them.” Like the previous article, the author does nothing to back this statement up. She also uses the word “we” to try and encompass all parents, making a blanket statement. Not to mention that snooping in someone’s private life doesn’t mean you can protect or guide someone better. A parent can do that by talking to their child and teaching them to be responsible and aware. The author also argues that “parents are entitled to know about their children’s digital activities as long as they’re under their care.” She tries to make a logical argument but ends up falling short. Using the word “entitled” creates a negative connotation, saying that parents have the right to spy. However, children and teenagers, like everyone else, have privacy rights too and they shouldn’t get swept under the rug. Next, in an article from the Chicago Tribune called “Spy-master parents might uncover trust problems” by John Keilman, the author speaks from personal experience with tracking, saying that it felt wrong, and comments on the mistrust that can be created when parents spy behind kids’ backs. On tracking his child, he says, “It was a wonderful feeling to observe him from afar — a bit God-like…” and that it “…was easy to justify, because I was spying only to make sure everything was OK. It took me a few days to realize that that is the same rationalization you'd probably hear at the National Security Agency.” The author is completely truthful and speaks from first-hand experience. He also makes comparisons to the NSA, painting himself as the bad guy. In the article, the author even says that he understands why a lot of parents choose to do this, however, he says that he does not condone the behavior. Keilman also states “If you spy on them and discover something, then what? The very first question a teenager will have is, 'How did you know that?” This statement is logical and makes the argument that if parents don’t trust their kids, they can harbor anger towards them and withdraw even further. Once the parent is “caught,” they could potentially lose the relationship they have with their child My final source is an article from Nautilus called “Parents Shouldn’t Spy on Their Kids” by Kirsten Weir.
This article strikes home the point that children and teenagers are at a critical point in their life when they need space to find themselves and develop individuality. The author says, “There’s a fine line between protection and obsession.” The word “obsession” automatically gives off a negative vibe and shows that parents usually teeter between these two ideas. She furthers reasons that “A parent’s desire to spy might have less to do with keeping kids safe, and more to do with a burning desire to lower his or her own anxiety.” This statement uses a lot of pathos to uncover what might be lying below a parent’s “reasons” to spy on their child’s life. Words like “desire” and “anxiety” show that the parent should not use their own worries and fears to justify spying. They should rather give the child space to figure things out, and that means making mistakes. Parents should strive to discuss important issues and dangers with their child rather than taking away independence and
privacy. Overall, there may always be a debate surrounding spying and tracking children, especially with the ever-present shadow of technology, but that doesn’t mean all common sense should be lost. Children, especially during the critical teenage years, need space to become independent individuals and are likely to rebel against anything that might prevent them from doing so. Although most parents are coming from a place of worry and fear, these emotions are usually misplaced and end up doing more harm than good. Parents shouldn’t spy on their children, they should trust their children to take what they’ve learned and start to become an adult. Because of technology and its growth, this issue is more important now than ever. Parents need to remember what it felt like to be that age, understand that our world is different now, and to empathize with their kids. Children shouldn’t feel spied on or untrusted—they need parents who lighten the leash and understand another perspective.