As with most debates, there are two sides to every issue and children and computer access is no different. Kids are joining the ranks of those computer and Internet savvy individuals that can navigate their way through the world wide web. While all parents want to protect their children from some of the dangerous situations and people that can be found online, looking into a child’s email account is an option that many people disagree upon.
Those in favor suggest having access to a child’s email account is a way to find out who they are talking to and what they are participating in online. By using the email address and password on the account, a parent could potentially go in at any time and be able to read any and all of the emails that were sent and received. This reduces the amount of privacy, but does give parents a heads up the moment something starts to go wrong.
Those who disagree suggest that every person is entitled to some type of privacy; even children. They suggest that email is a way for kids to express themselves and also create relationships with other people, including their friends. Much like a diary, kids can write about the issues that they are facing, frustration with parents, and even some thoughts they may be struggling with.
Is there a happy medium? Is it possible to talk to children openly and frankly about the reasons for wanting to look into their email account? Is there a way to draw a line between checking on things that looks suspicious and their personal conversations with some of their peers? With younger children having access to the Internet, parents see them become more technologically sound and able to keep up with the constant improvements in computers and the Internet. However, with that comes some cause for concern as children also join a limitless number of people looking to communicate through email.
