KIDS AND PRIVACY. HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

 [Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/phone-connection-speaking-vintage-6921156/) The issue of kids and privacy has become a growing concept being overlooked in our generation, today. With advanced technological tools, it has become even easier to easily keep an eye on our children from the comfort of our home. Parents can now monitor the kinds of activity their children are into, the kind of friends they keep, the kind of movies they watch and many more with the help of technological tools. While it is a good thing to keep a good eye on our children, how much of it becomes too much, especially in our current generation? No matter how children can be, they still deserve the right to their own privacy, especially teens. There comes a time when a line has to be drawn between protection and invasion of privacy. I understand the need for parents to know what their children are up to at any given time, but sometimes, this constant monitoring can eventually lead the child to become highly secretive, and lack independence to do things on their own. They become more curious to know things parents often restrict them from doing and this can push them to go the wrong way. For young children, it can be quite understandable for the constant monitoring as they are still very tender and need guidance. But as they grow older, it is essential for parents to allow them some alone time and space to handle things on their own. This will do a lot in creating self-trust and reliance in children, and more importantly, independence.  [Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/navigation-car-drive-road-gps-1048294/) Technology makes things even worse. With location trackers, GPs and lots more available, parents could easily overstep their boundaries without even knowing and this can make children feel watched rather than loved. It can make them feel restricted to being their true self and lean more to a pretentious lifestyle. I believe open conversation could help. Parents should sit their children down and set boundaries together with them. Have discussions concerning online safety, dos and don'ts. This builds mutual respect.  [Source](https://unsplash.com/photos/a-mother-and-daughter-share-a-phone-together-XEvdAdYl7D4) Above all, trust is the key. Allow your children to know that they can trust you, and come to you no matter how bad it gets. Engage with them. Have an interactive discussion with them, where they tell you about their day instead of monitoring them. Parents should work on being too overprotective.at some point, you have to let them experience life on their own. In the end, constantly monitoring them will not save them from the dangers of this life, nor peer pressure. But constant guidance and trust will.