T-Mobile Announces New 'FamilyMode' Feature for Monitoring Kids' Online Activity

Perfect for helicopter parents all around the world!

I understand that every situation is unique and I don’t have children yet, but I feel having meaningful discussions about the internet (more than a simple “don’t do that”) as well as setting time limits on internet access would be better than just idle spying.

Granted, I can imagine more troublesome children will need monitoring; but as a whole I feel like this sets up a feeling of no privacy, and just gets kids used to the feeling that they are being watched always, either by parents or corporations or governments, so what’s the problem of not having privacy?

I understand that every situation is unique and I don’t have children yet, but I feel having meaningful discussions about the internet (more than a simple “don’t do that”) as well as setting time limits on internet access would be better than just idle spying.

Granted, I can imagine more troublesome children will need monitoring; but as a whole I feel like this sets up a feeling of no privacy, and just gets kids used to the feeling that they are being watched always, either by parents or corporations or governments, so what’s the problem of not having privacy?

Bingo. You don't have children. That's okay, it just means you don't have the benefit of seeing stuff first hand.

Some people's kids are pretty good about keeping out of trouble. Some people's kids aren't. Often, though not always, it's more to do with the child's personality than it is the parenting.

Lots of content for kids is great. Some of it isn't, despite it initially appearing so. https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-39381889

As parent you (ideally) tailor your parenting to the individual child's needs. Yes, you have discussions. To the degree you can, not every 8-year old really understands "why" they can't do what they want. As the child grows and matures you expand the boundaries. Give them freedom appropriate to their personalty until you have reason not to -- but *as* a parent you still need to keep an eye on what's going on so you can address an issue while it remains small. Particularly given the amount of predators out there and the new/different ways they stage an attack.

So yes, trust the child to make good decisions. But you still need to verify at some level and to some degree. Without becoming a helicopter parent.

This is simply a Family Circle device (https://meetcircle.com) - often branded as Circle by Disney. One of payment, no monthly subscription.

I'd like to announce to fellow parents of the world that are completely SLACKING ...

a HUGE upside the face, strong like a withewall bat, full arm extended, wet open-hand SMACK across the back of the neck.

it's getting really sad and pathentic that there are technology software enhancements that allow parents to watch over their kids instead of:

Loving your kids
paying attention to their likes/dislikes and growing needs from BIRTH,
showing kids how to responsibly use and augment technology,
building and maintaining a form of TRUST real world trust where your word is your BOND!
applicable punishments/withdrawals of said tools and other benefits many, like ever child does at some point take for granted,
instilling them with sound self confident ideals like a job, rewards of feeling good for taking care of responsibilities and positive encouragement to enforce these as life long habits even when at times it's not met by the kids.

[doublepost=1530008451][/doublepost]Great insights, Deep. So crucially important; thank you. Wondering though: how about using only the time-limit feature WITHOUT the monitoring privacy-invading feature. Teens can accept that there are limits to TV, social media, etc. Those things are too often addicting.
So, not parental snooping, but rather a cutoff timer. What do you think?

I'd like to announce to fellow parents of the world that are completely SLACKING ...

a HUGE upside the face, strong like a withewall bat, full arm extended, wet open-hand SMACK across the back of the neck.

it's getting really sad and pathentic that there are technology software enhancements that allow parents to watch over their kids instead of:

Loving your kids
paying attention to their likes/dislikes and growing needs from BIRTH,
showing kids how to responsibly use and augment technology,
building and maintaining a form of TRUST real world trust where your word is your BOND!
applicable punishments/withdrawals of said tools and other benefits many, like ever child does at some point take for granted,
instilling them with sound self confident ideals like a job, rewards of feeling good for taking care of responsibilities and positive encouragement to enforce these as life long habits even when at times it's not met by the kids.

Bingo. You don't have children. That's okay, it just means you don't have the benefit of seeing stuff first hand.

Some people's kids are pretty good about keeping out of trouble. Some people's kids aren't. Often, though not always, it's more to do with the child's personality than it is the parenting.

Lots of content for kids is great. Some of it isn't, despite it initially appearing so. https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-39381889

As parent you (ideally) tailor your parenting to the individual child's needs. Yes, you have discussions. To the degree you can, not every 8-year old really understands "why" they can't do what they want. As the child grows and matures you expand the boundaries. Give them freedom appropriate to their personalty until you have reason not to -- but *as* a parent you still need to keep an eye on what's going on so you can address an issue while it remains small. Particularly given the amount of predators out there and the new/different ways they stage an attack.

So yes, trust the child to make good decisions. But you still need to verify at some level and to some degree. Without becoming a helicopter parent.

Very true info and I do agree very much. After giving it some thought there are definitely things I wouldn’t want my children to stumble upon (besides the obvious). YouTube, even YouTube Kids; even stuff marketed for kids like Bobs Burgers and the such are too inappropriate in my opinion until someone is older.

And don’t get me started on half of the garbage in Netflix Kids.

Thank you for your reply!

I'd like to announce to fellow parents of the world that are completely SLACKING ...

a HUGE upside the face, strong like a withewall bat, full arm extended, wet open-hand SMACK across the back of the neck.

it's getting really sad and pathentic that there are technology software enhancements that allow parents to watch over their kids instead of:

Loving your kids
paying attention to their likes/dislikes and growing needs from BIRTH,
showing kids how to responsibly use and augment technology,
building and maintaining a form of TRUST real world trust where your word is your BOND!
applicable punishments/withdrawals of said tools and other benefits many, like ever child does at some point take for granted,
instilling them with sound self confident ideals like a job, rewards of feeling good for taking care of responsibilities and positive encouragement to enforce these as life long habits even when at times it's not met by the kids.