CreateDebate


Debate Info

37
42
yes no
Debate Score:79
Arguments:54
Total Votes:100
More Stats

Argument Ratio

side graph
 
 yes (26)
 
 no (28)

Debate Creator

starbaby1996(65) pic



should parents be able to read thier childrens text messages?

yes

Side Score: 37
VS.

no

Side Score: 42
2 points

Let's go back further and ask "Should kids even have cell phones?"

Do you have kids? Do you know what it takes to parent?

Parents who care about their children and what they are doing will read their children's text messages. They would also monitor their kids internet usage.

Who is paying for the phone? The kid - or the parents? This is a good gauge to determine if the kids have a base level of responsibility.

Side: yes
2 points

Parents were also kids. Yes, it's the reality. So, they cannot but do anything against kids' feelings. But, sometimes they have to be strict at the shake of kids' welfare.

Kids cannot realize this, it's the another truth.But, they'll obviously understand, when they'll become parents.

Side: yes
2 points

i think most of the people on this network are still young and do not have teenagers for children. I am 23 and still remember what i did in my teens and i was a very very very bad boy!!!!!!!!! any parent is a fool if they cannot see if their kid is a band geek who is trustworthy and need not spy on.

or if they were like myself who was on paper a 2 sport athlete and had at least a 3.0 or above every quarter and did not get prosecuted for any crimes except for a few fights but those never went to trial. pretty much the avg kid who was a good football player and good student, and had only a couple mistakes on paper. but in reality i was nothing but a good saintly kid. i do not wish to tell story's for now that i am older and have seen my friends fall victim to drugs/booze/crimes.........i wish that they had tough parents like i had. yes i was bad but i never bragged, sex messages, posting revealing myspace/facebook..... post/pics because i was afraid of getting caught and for all of those i still got caught when someone left something at my house or on a computer. my parents were tough and that did not prevent me from doing bad things, but because they were tough i was aware they were bad in the first place and when i did those things, i made sure my ass did not get caught and for that i am forever great full

parents need look at their kids phones, computers, accounts to make sure they do not end up fucked up.

my girlfriend who spent a lot of time in the foster care system has always told me " ide rather have parents who loves me too much, than not at all or too little"

Side: yes

If they pay for the service, yes. It will prepare you for life in the real world where your employer pays for the internet and can read your e-mail ;)

Side: yes
craaze(4) Disputed
1 point

Faketext is a hot new app that allow you to hide your real text messages on your iPhone. Check it out at faketext.com, you can go there straight from your iPhone since it is a webapp and is free.

Side: No

Well, if the parents are paying for the service, then yes, parents should be able to look at the text messages as much they wish.

Side: yes
1 point

Parents may follow up the messages only if your attitude is suspicious enough. Have you ever seen a trustworthy child suspected by parents?

Side: yes
anotherguy34(5) Disputed
1 point

AS much as they wish,yes, and when they wish, should be when they want to protect their child from themselves, and no other time.Other than that, it simply means your child will resent you forever, for looking in his/her messages.

Side: No
1 point

Yes, but No............

They shouldnt that would simply lead the child into hating them, and making the m fee violated.

If the child gave reason to be suspicious of them, so be it..... BUT if u simply are trying to make your children miserable, its not out of love, but simply being snoopy.WHich is wrong. IF u think there is a need, HEY u bought IT!but then again, dont be stupid.

Side: No
1 point

I believe that whoever is paying the bill has the right to go through your texts. How can anyone debate that? (I'm a teen btw) However I still advocate evading parents. If you have a smartphone there are many apps that allow you to text for free and it won't show up on your phone bill. Unless you're stupid, then you already know this. I like how I handled my own situation though. My mom put time restrictions, blocked numbers, and a whole bunch of other garbage on my phone because I messed up. No jail or law breaking, she's just a nosey person. So one day I bought a non contract phone, paid the service MYSELF, and gave her my "bugged" phone back saying that I didn't want it anymore because I got a new one. She was stunned. I'll never forget the look on her power hungry face. It was a great feeling taking that power from her. The moral of the story is that your parents can look through anything in their house or that they pay for. Be it your room, car, or phone. As long as they paid for it, it's theirs. Again, I'm not saying that everyone should be prude and boring, just that you need to learn how the world works. Hide things outside of the house, flush your sensitive garbage (Don't clog it though), don't keep any sensitive paper trail. (text's, email, facebook)

Side: yes
1 point

Within reason, if your child is acting like they are up to something then yes. On the same hand kids should be respectful of the fact that their parents work hard to give them the things they have including a cell phone, they have the right to look through or take that phone away and anything else for that matter.

Side: yes
1 point

I think parents should be aloud to check their kids text messages because if their kid is nervous or worried about something then they should know what is bothering them. Also if the kid is annoyed by them doing it then the parents can give their kids a treat to encourage them if they do not do anything bad on it.

Side: yes
1 point

I think parents should be aloud to check their kids text messages because if their kid is nervous or worried about something then they should know what is bothering them. Also if the kid is annoyed by them doing it then the parents can give their kids a treat to encourage them if they do not do anything bad on it.

Side: yes

you cant really say yes or no to this. not one family is standard. sure it would be wrong if the kid was no longer a kid. but teenagers do need to learn whats wrong and right.

and guidance is needed but over all they do need to find it them self.

However if the teen is a delinquent (defined by the american society) then it still depends.

Side: yes

Since they are minors, parents should have the right to read their text messages.

Side: yes
1 point

Yes, because parents need to know if their child is being sexual, appropriate and rude.

Side: yes
6 points

If a kid knows their text mesaegs are going to be read, they'll either delete the potentially offensive ones or not say anything controversial on their texts. The parents learn nothing, and the kids feel less like an adult because the parents obviously don't trust them enough to simply ask about their lives. It's lose-lose.

Reading a child's text is a breach of privacy. It's on par with following your child and listening to their private conversations, and a poor substitute to simply sitting down and having a conversation. Hamfisted measures should not be used in the place of good parenting.

[there are obvious exceptions, such as "troubled children", but for the vast majority of cases my point stands]

Side: No
4 points

My parents do it. I hate it. Im 17, I have conversations i dont want my parents to know about. Not bad conversations, just stuff like "Oh frand you really go with him?" my parents dont need to know mine or my friends business

Side: No
indeed(72) Disputed
0 points

I can't ask a question of you so I'll dispute you since you took the opposing position of me.

Do you pay your own cell phone bill or do you parents pay for it for you?

Maybe we should have an age cut-off?

Side: yes
1 point

I am paying for my part of the bill.

Side: yes
2 points

They shouldn't but nobody can stop them. There is nobody to enforce it and if there was this would be a fascist police state.

Side: No
1 point

I believe that they shouldn't, it is an invasion of personal privacy.

Side: No
zombee(1026) Disputed
3 points

Should minors be permitted personal privacy at the expense of their safety or well-being? It is a parents' duty to judge their child's maturity and responsibility, and allow or restrict privileges based on what they feel their child will do with those privileges. Privacy for children from parents is a privilege, not a right, and some kids would be a lot better off if their parents did get a little nosy and read their text messages to find out what they are doing with their time.

Side: yes
DaWolfman(3324) Disputed
1 point

Should minors be permitted personal privacy at the expense of their safety or well-being?

Nope, not what I was hinting at either.

What kind of private matter is going to be discussed on a text message that could put your child in harms way? Especially when this is a minor we're talking about.

Side: No
DaWolfman(3324) Disputed
0 points

should minors be permitted personal privacy at the expense of their safety or well-being?

Well of course not, however what kind of safety threatening things would a child be discussing via cell phone?

Side: No
1 point

i totally support you man

parents should not be able to read their kids messages

why the hell are personal cell and personal computers meant for????????????

Side: No
headphoneguy(3) Disputed
1 point

who buys the computers who should monitor the computers who is responsible if the kid download illegal videos or porn or they hack into a government database it is the parents fault so yes parents should be able to read thieir childrens text messages.

Side: yes
headphoneguy(3) Disputed
1 point

What are you inane? parents should be allowed to read their kids privacy a parent is supposed to keep their kids safe and secure what happens when a stalker or sexter gets a hold of their number? it is the parents job to deal with the problem and who is paying for the cell phone kids? I don't think so, so technically the phone is not the kids but it is the parents personal privacy only goes so far when txts begin to become threats and dangerous it is the parents job to interfere no many kids trust parents so yes parents should be able to read their childrens text messages.

Side: yes
DaWolfman(3324) Disputed
1 point

You seem to like the phrase "gtfo", if you can't type proper English why don't you gtfo? Have you ever tried re reading, if not you should really test it out.

parents should be allowed to read their kids privacy a parent is supposed to keep their kids safe and secure what happens when a stalker or sexter gets a hold of their number?

Talk about a run on sentence with a lack of coherency.

What happens when a sexter gets a hold of their number? Sexting is most common among kids that are dating, and it isn't texting so that isn't the issue this debate is talking about.

A stalker? We are talking about children here mate, how many 10 year olds have stalkers ... ?

it is the parents job to deal with the problem and who is paying for the cell phone kids?

It is the parents problem to protect their children, if they are monitoring texts the child will simply begin either

A.) Typing in a code that parents won't understand

B.) Not talk about anything they are doing or planning on doing via texts

C.) Delete their messages on a regular basis

who is paying for the cell phone kids?

I think you forgot an ellipsis there but whatever. Using that logic ( what little there is to begin with ) then parents should be able to put cameras in bedrooms, after all parents did pay for that room right?

I don't think so, so technically the phone is not the kids but it is the parents personal privacy only goes so far when txts begin to become threats and dangerous it is the parents job to interfere no many kids trust parents so yes parents should be able to read their childrens text messages.

What in the fuck were you trying to say ...

Side: No
1 point

No parents should not be able to read their kids texts! i hate when people read my texts so im sure kids dont want their parents to look at their texts

Side: No
headphoneguy(3) Disputed
1 point

im sure you don't like ppl reading your text even though you don't have any friends or family gtfo and take your unthought argument with you.

Side: yes
1 point

i don't think parents should read there child's messages or go through there phone. I mean just try to have a good relationship with your child and if you want to know something just ask them. I'm 14 years old and my mother and i have the best relationship, she doesn't go through any of my stuff. And i always tell her if she want to know something dint go behind my back and try to find the answer just ask me and i will answer you truthfully. All kids should have there own privacy because i sure do know that nobody likes someone going through there messages.

Side: No
1 point

heck no

i hate it when my parents go through my phone

if its your phone, its your privacy

Side: No
1 point

OMG what is this. you're not even debating gtfo and take your opinion with you

Side: No
1 point

I finally figured out how to keep my parent from going through my text messages. I downloaded a program from Faketexts.com and it hides the iPhone SMS button and replaces it with a fake one that you can edit. Basically it doesn't show the parents I am talking to just go to Faketexts.com on your iPhone.

Side: yes
1 point

It could lead to kids hating their parents and being suspicious.

Side: No
1 point

Its really all about trust. My parents respect that I need my privacy so they don't read my text messages. If they thought I was in some type of danger, I think they would, but if not, parents shouldn't read their children's text messages.

Side: No
1 point

Although teens are minors, they should still have the right to have privacy. If the parent trust the teen, then it should not be necessary for them to invade their privacy. If the teen is not trusted, they should simply just take the phone away. It is also possible to make sure your phone can contact certain numbers only. Also, in my experience as well, the child may feel insecure and uncomfortable with their parent and talking to their friends. They may feel like they could not be trusted, driving the teen away from the parents and harming their relationship. I feel I cannot tell my overprotective father anything and I feel extremely uncomfortable sending a simple text to a friend. I am not saying that I have anything to hide, because I am not a bad daughter. I am a lot more responsible than my parents give me credit for and I'm sure it's the same thing with a lot of other teens. I still do not appreciate him wanting to know everything. Today, the relationship with my father is sadly weak and mostly only because of his over protectiveness and the constant noisiness that he shows. My step mother is different. She gives me more privacy and trust me, and our relationship is strong. It is stronger than my own, real dad. Even though she is my step mom, she gives me privacy and knows how to treat the situation, because I can ask her for help when I need it and I am not afraid to talk to her.

Side: no
1 point

No because kids should deserve there own privacy since there not aloud to do what ever they want. So when u send messages if its not for there parents to see i don't why they should be so nosey. This situation is like a bank acount no one but you personaly should know the code and you wouldn't like someone being nosey to the extent of finding out. Dwapite the fact that rapists and pedofiles are out there if you have a warm loving family then child will tell when somthings not right or he/she is not sure. Parents just want to be nosey kids can't never have anything to themselves with out there parents getting involved some parents actually make them, by force, add them on facebook but the fact is parents going behind a childs back to look at there messages is disgusting you consult it with them first.

Side: no
1 point

I am a 17 year old, whos opinion in most cases does not matter but NOOOO! first off if you are paying for your childs cell phone then you should trust them to use it appropriatly, if you dont then why pay for them to have it?

Second most kids are smart enough to delete messages or use other forms of communication if they dont want you to see something

Third, I am one of the teens who pays for their own cell phone. My parents dont pay for my service, They wont even let me on their plan, so why should they be allowed to just take my phone, or look through my messages. As far as I can see if my phone is not being paid for by you or on your plan then you have no rights to invade my privacy unless i give you permission.

Parents look through their kids phones, when they dont trust them. which hurts the child. So in other words you are mentally skrewing up your kid. you cant build and trust between a parent and child that way.

oh and P.S. dont lecture your child about trust, if you sneak and look at their phone. How can you tell them you cant trust them if you just did that. Obviously they need to be the ones unable to trust you. No lines of communication and openness will come that way. Just saying...

Side: no
1 point

Not all teenagers are bad. I'm 17 and my parents have NEVER done such a thing, they just don't. I don't do drugs or hangout with the "bad" crowd either. Education should be the key. I was always taught in school about the consequences of drugs, smoking, early pregnancies etc and that's why I make decisions to avoid them. If the child knows the consequences, then they can make the right/better decisions and not do the things you don't want them to do. If you just put all these restrictions, then you're implying that you don't trust them and are treating them as a child, especially if your a teenager. How can they learn from the mistakes they made, if the only thing they learn is to be more careful with what they say on their phone.

Side: no
0 points

no its just annoying..........................................

Side: No
headphoneguy(3) Disputed
1 point

blah blah blah im just doing what you're doing writing no arguments

Side: yes
1 point

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Side: no