Technology and device nowadays are playing a strong role in our daily lives. According to the NPR, the US database has shown that over half of the children in America have access to technology and device. 53% of them have had access to smartphones since the age of 11. 83% of teenagers have their own phones. Having access to an electronic device such as a phone would eventually expose the diverse world to the children. Whether it’s good or bad there’s a lot of information these childrens have to over come and stand (NPR). A 2018 Pew Research Center survey of nearly 750 13- to 17-year-olds found that 45% are online almost constantly and 97% use a social media platform, such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat (Mayoclinic Health). The large amount of time teen spend on social media would have a significant impact in their lifes and causing them to be exposed to bunch of unfiltered information and risk. A study in the U.S hold in 2019 which involved over 6,500 students aged around 15 found that one’s who spent time on social media over 3 hours a day is out to risk of mental health issues.
Below I would show some data from the survey being done by me to the ISB community mainly focused on high school teenagers.
This has shown that many students would not but really willing to share their electronic devices with their parents/guardians. There is 57.1% of students don’t want their parents to check which is over a half. Yet, there is still 14.3% of students who are willing to let their parents check. Along with a student who mentions their parent can check but only partially and respectfully.
This data and statistics have shown that it is somehow necessary for adults and parents/guardians to check and make sure their child is on the right track. As a parent/guardians of a child, they do have the right to check on their child’s device for their safety. Especially, when cyberbullying and sexting are popular in these generations which is dangerous for teenagers.
On the other hand, I think that children also have their own privacy so even if the parents want to check they should at least ask and if the child is refusing it then they should explain to them why they have to check their phone rather than just scolding their child and assuring them that they are having a boyfriend/girlfriend or doing something inappropriate. Because even if it’s true that they are getting cyberbullied or harassed online, some kids are embarrassed to tell their parents, maybe because the relationship between the parents and that child is not that close enough. I would say they have the right to check their child’s phone but only if it's reasonable because children should respect their parent’s privacy and the same goes for parents of their children.
Citations:
Kamenetz, Anya. “It's a Smartphone Life: More than Half of U.S. Children Now Have One.” NPR, NPR, 31 Oct. 2019, www.npr.org/2019/10/31/774838891/its-a-smartphone-life-more-than-half-of-u-s-children-now-have-one#:~:text=Just%20over%20half%20of%20children,lot%20of%20decoding%20to%20understand.
Staff, Mayoclinic. “How to Help Your Teen Navigate Social Media.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 26 Feb. 2022,www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teens-and-social-media-use/art-20474437#:~:text=Social%20media%20is%20a%20big,%2C%20Facebook%2C%20Instagram%20or%20Snapchat.
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已使用以下人员的多张图像创建: RoBird - "Person using a social media marketing concept on mobile phone with notification icons of like, message, comment and star above smartphone screen." • sasun Bughdaryan - "online business concept. global business contracts" • Looker_Studio - "Social media interactions on mobile phone, concept with notification icons of like, message, email, comment and star above smartphone screen, person hands holding device, internet digital marketing"