Balancing Privacy and Protection for Children

I believe that children should not have the same rights to privacy as adults, but they should be allowed a reasonable amount of privacy based on their age, maturity, and needs. Children lack the understanding that adults do when it comes to responsibility, as they are still learning to handle those responsibilities.

Adults, for the most part, possess the ability to understand the consequences of their own actions and make decisions both personally and professionally. Children, on the other hand, do not possess these qualities as they are still developing their brain mentally, emotionally, secually, and socially. This can leave the children unprotected by harm, especially in today’s world with technology involved; they are more vulnerable to cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and even online predators.

Parents and guardians have the responsibility to protect and care for their child or children. This entails that they monitor their activities to an extent, especially online. While most children do have some privacy, like their feelings and personal thoughts, there should be a balance between privacy and safety. Some children might not understand the jeopardy they put themselves in when they give out their personal information online, which is why parents should have some sort of oversight until they have reached the level of maturity to not need it.

In order to have balance there does need to be some privacy given. Children should be given the chance to develop their sense of privacy in a safe, protected environment. As they grow older, they should learn to respect and trust their own boundaries as much as they should other peoples. This should allow them to take on their own responsibilities for their own privacy as they mature.

In my experience, I never was really monitored but rather influenced to do the right thing online and offline. I never understood it at the time, but I am now glad that my mom and dad told me to not do certain things and not be online as much. Not only has it changed my perspective on situations in the real world, but has also helped me deal with my responsibilities and understand them a lot easier.

Ultimately, children should not be allowed full rights to privacy as adults, but deserve an appropriate amount that grows with age and maturity. This approach safely fosters their responsible independence and the responsibility of recognizing and respecting other people’s boundaries and privacy as well.

Featured Image: “Privacy” by g4ll4is is licensed under CC BY 2.0.