children
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The secret surveillance of teenagers...
By CraftyCorner
@CraftyCorner (5600)
United States
April 16, 2008 12:19am CST
Advertised as the ultimate solution to knowing what your teen is doing online, or accused of being the ultimate invasion of privacy, it depends on your point of view. I want to introduce the SnoopStick.
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The Advertiser claims:
The SnoopStick looks like a memory stick. You plug it into your teenager's computer when they are not around, and it installs stealth software on to the machine. Then you plug it into your own computer and can sit back at your leisure and observe, in real time, exactly what your child is doing online - what websites they are visiting, the full conversations they are having on the instant messenger (IM) service, and who they are sending emails to. It is as if you are sitting and invisibly spying over their shoulder.'
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The Privacy Advocates' outcry:
That computer that SnoopStick is plugged into is the property of someone unknown to the snooper. Said snooper has less than good intentions!
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Your opinion? Protective device or violative nightmare for the USB drive?
2 responses
@gcrew931 (228)
• Philippines
16 Apr 08
It is plain and simple violation to one's right to privacy. Yes, parents have the right to limit which sites their children can go to. But this right is not absolute. Conversations and emails cannot be read by the parents. That's why we consider it impolite in society to open and read letters for other people. I think the same logic applies to email. parents do not have rights to know your thoughts, feelings, and even private conversations with friends. I think this is where technology just crossed the boundaries. I'm fine with cyber nannies or programs that would prevent you from accessing adult sites. But a device that can monitor everything you do is just way too much. Isn't wire tapping illegal? It is illegal because it violates a persons right to the practice full freedom of speech and privacy. This is also the same with online activity. Every person should have the right to keep his internet activities secret or not known to his or her parents.
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
17 Apr 08
How do you feel about knowing who is on your child's friend list and what lengths will you go to find out? And at what age do you feel that a child is old enough to autonomous privacy?
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
16 Apr 08
I personally would prefer the computer to be in the living room not because of the child's actions but because the child is not alone on the computer: there are a lot of very sophisticated pedophiles that know their way around the most well raised youngsters.
