Laura Muse, a 41-year-old mental health clinician from North Carolina, has sparked a heated debate online after revealing that she regularly checks her children’s phones. As a parent, she believes that because she pays for their phones, she has the right to monitor their activity. This has stirred mixed reactions, especially in a time when privacy and trust between parents and children are increasingly valued.
The Reason Behind Her Actions
While some parents advocate for respecting their children’s privacy, Muse argues that her actions are necessary to protect her 15-year-old son and 17-year-old daughter. She believes that by confiscating their phones before bedtime, she can ensure they get a full night’s sleep and are not distracted by the online world. For Muse, these checks are not about control but about safeguarding her children’s mental and emotional well-being.
The Origin of the Habit
Muse’s practice of going through her children’s phones started when they were just 11 years old. Despite trusting her children, she insists that these checks are crucial in keeping them from engaging in inappropriate behavior and protecting them from online dangers like predators and scammers. As her children entered their teenage years, this practice continued, and Muse sees it as a necessary part of her parenting style to help guide them through the complexities of the digital world.
Justifying the Need for Oversight
One of the key reasons Muse believes her actions are justified is the potential risks children face online. She shared an experience where she found her son, Cohen, posting shirtless photos of himself on social media. Muse quickly addressed the situation, using it as a learning opportunity to teach him about the dangers of oversharing. She is convinced that such oversight is essential to prevent her children from falling victim to online risks and behaviors that could harm them in the long run.
Public Reaction and Debate
Muse’s approach to parenting is part of a broader debate that has emerged in the digital age. Many parents are now more vigilant about their children’s online activities, as highlighted by a recent viral TikTok video of a mother discovering explicit pictures on her son’s phone. The discussion is polarized: some people support the idea of monitoring children’s phones for their safety, while others argue that it undermines privacy and trust. In response to criticism, Muse emphasized that her priority is her children’s safety and well-being, even if it means sacrificing some level of privacy.
As parenting practices continue to evolve with technology, it is clear that the balance between trust, privacy, and protection remains a central issue for many families.
