Survey shows parents are open to using tech to monitor unsupervised kids
Privacy issues are a big topic in America right now, but for kids under 17 privacy is almost always going to be dependent upon their parents. There are no unlawful search and seizure laws governing parents, and a new survey indicates that Big Mother and Father may soon be watching. The survey, conducted by the home automation and security company Piper, shows that a majority of parents interviewed would be willing to use technology to monitor their unsupervised children.
Of the 500 parents interviewed for Piper's survey, 60 percent indicated they were open to the idea of using technology to monitor their kids when they're unsupervised at home. Still, those kids are probably doing their homework, right? Mom and Dad apparently aren't so sure, as only 5 percent of surveyed guardians said they thought kids would stay on track and complete their homework if left alone.
With that in mind, their concern is understandable; these kids are spending a lot of time alone. 40.6 percent of respondents said their children spend four to five days a week unsupervised after school, while 35.2 percent reported their kids spent at least one to two afternoons unsupervised.
Interestingly, while 60 percent of these parents are open to monitoring, only half of them think it would actually work. When asked if remote monitoring would make their kids more or less likely to follow the rules at home after school, 47 percent said it wouldn't make a difference. Kids will be kids, after all.
What are your feelings on monitoring your children? Should modern technology give parents more control over keeping track of their kids? Are freedom, trust, and autonomy an important part of a youth's development? Let us know in the comments.
