A Mother’s Nightly Mission
Let’s be real, no parent nails it 100% of the time. But that doesn’t mean we can’t give it our all, especially when it comes to steering our kids in the right direction. Take Laura Muse from North Carolina, for instance. She’s got a game plan for handling her teenagers’ screen time that’s both strict and loving.
Every night, like clockwork at 11:30 pm, Laura tucks her son Cohen into bed, plants a goodnight kiss on his forehead, and then—plot twist—she takes his phone away for the night. This bedtime ritual is just a part of Laura’s master plan to keep her kids’ online activity in check, ensuring they rest well and surf the web responsibly.
Why She Does It
As someone who works in mental health and pays the phone bills, Laura feels she’s got every right to monitor her children’s phones. She told the New York Post, “I bought their phones, I cover the bills. I’m allowed to check their phones anytime I want.” Some folks might think this is too much, but Laura sees it as an essential part of her job as a mom.
And it turns out, Laura isn’t the only one playing digital detective with her kids. The #RaisingTeens hashtag is buzzing with parents sharing their own tips and tricks for keeping an eye on their teens’ online lives. A study by Malwarebytes even found that more than half of parents are keeping tabs on their teens’ digital doings in various ways, from tracking their location to peeking at their texts and social media.
Laura started her surveillance when her kids first got their phones at 11. She used to do random checks every week, but now that her kids are older, she’s dialed it back a bit. She trusts her kids but believes that keeping an eye on their digital interactions is crucial for steering them away from trouble and guarding them against the darker corners of the internet.
Learning Moments
Laura’s watchful eye has caught her son posting stuff online that he shouldn’t have. Instead of freaking out, she uses these moments as chances to teach important lessons. She’s big on talking things through and setting clear rules about tech use.
This approach has sparked a lot of chatter online, especially on TikTok, where parents are splitting hairs over whether it’s cool or not to go through their kids’ phones. Critics argue that it invades privacy, but in Laura’s home, it’s all about care and protection.
The Verdict
In the Muse household, the kids have grown to understand and even value Laura’s involvement in their digital world. She doesn’t see it as snooping; to her, it’s about keeping her kids safe and sound.
What about you? Would you take a page out of Laura’s book with your own kids? Share your thoughts below!
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