Teen Privacy and Parenting: When a child enters adolescence, not only the environment at home changes, but the way of thinking of the parents also changes. Many parents of teenage children are confused whether they are giving too much freedom to their teenage children. Are you showing any carelessness in the upbringing of your children? Checking or keeping an eye on their children’s phones fills them with the feeling that they are reducing their children’s privacy. In the eyes of our children, are we becoming such parents who want to control them?

Why does the need for privacy increase in adolescence?

Teenage is not just an age for children but a time of physical, mental and hormonal changes. At this age the child tries to create his own identity. He wants to know, what is his identity apart from his parents. At this age the child wants his thoughts to be given importance. He wants his freedom.

Due to hormonal changes taking place at this age, the child undergoes physical and mental changes. He remains in a state of dilemma between friendship and attraction. He does not understand the reasons for his mood swings. In this situation, the child is neither able to understand his feelings nor share them with his parents.

Changes in today’s teenagers are not only due to hormones but also due to the couple scenes seen on social media and OTT.

Difference between privacy and negligence

It is important for parents to understand which of your actions are necessary for the privacy of children and which are not. I know,

What is the privacy of a teenager: If parents listen, understand and respect the views of their teenage children. Don’t read their personal diaries or cards and chats without asking them. Don’t check their phones behind their backs. Understand their feelings. Not spying on them all the time without any reason, all these are steps towards the privacy of teenagers.

Negligence in the name of privacy: If parents are noticing changes in children’s behavior every day and are ignoring them. When a call comes from a particular number on the child’s phone, the child gets scared or moves away from the conversation. The child does not talk to you at all and keeps himself locked in the room all the time. If this is happening with your teenager and you are thinking that the child will handle everything on his own, then it is carelessness on your part.

Increase trust between you and your child, not control

Minimize sentences like “what were you doing, where did you go, who were you talking to,” in your talk. Such sentences show control. Instead, ask the child “How was his day today, is he talking to a special friend, does he want to share anything with you”.

If your child is sharing something with you or telling a secret, instead of getting angry or judging him, first listen and understand and then react.

How much screen time do you want to give to your child? What is the time of their last arrival home? Don’t check your phone after what time in the night. What kind of language is theirs not acceptable? Decide its rules in clear words beforehand.

Make children aware about online safety, rules of going out, how to ensure their safety.

Parents, if you make a mistake, do not shy away from admitting it or apologizing. Keep in mind that children learn a lot by watching your behavior.