A mom from North Carolina has ignited a discussion online with her belief that she has the right to go through her children’s phones. Laura Muse, a 41-year-old mom of two, confiscates her 15-year-old son and 17-year-old daughter’s phones before they go to bed. While most parents would simply put the devices away, Laura takes the extra step of checking their phones to ensure her kids are behaving appropriately.
In an interview with The New York Post, Laura emphasized that because she pays for their phones, she feels justified in snooping. She stated, “I own their phones, I pay for the phones. I can go through them whenever I want. People might think it’s a sign of disrespect or an invasion of their privacy, but this is how I manage my ship.”
This routine of checking her children’s phones started when they were around 11 years old and has continued into their teenage years. Laura, who works as a mental health clinician, wants to protect her kids from engaging in inappropriate behavior online and from potential online predators and scammers. While she trusts her children, she believes these checks are necessary.
Not only has Laura caught her children behaving inappropriately in the past, such as her son posting revealing pictures of himself online, but she also takes these moments as teachable opportunities. “If I do find something that’s an issue, we talk about it and turn it into a teachable moment,” she explained. “I’m not perfect, I don’t expect my children to be perfect, but it’s important to keep an eye on things.”
Interestingly, Laura is not alone in her decision to snoop through her children’s phones. Other parents have also adopted this controversial method to ensure there is no compromising content on their kids’ devices. While some people support this approach, others criticize it, pointing out the importance of privacy and trust in parenting.
Despite the criticism, Laura stands firm in her belief that she is protecting her children from potential dangers online. As she stated to one commenter, “No privacy when I pay his bills.”
It’s clear that parents have differing opinions on this matter, and each has their own parenting style. But it’s essential to find a balance between fostering trust and ensuring our children’s safety in the digital world.
