Parents have a duty to check phones

YOU do really have to wonder about parenting in this country when parents are feeling guilty about checking their teenagers’ mobile phone messages.

The vast majority of parents have paid for these pricey little toys and are being harangued every week for money for credit and yet somehow we aren’t feeling confident enough in ourselves as parents to exert authority.

We all know that parents will never be able to control their teenager’s every move – and to try to do so will most likely cause even more rebellion – but surely parents have a moral duty to offer a little of a “rough guide to the world” until their offspring are 18 years of age? And that duty involves doing your best to ensure your very impressionable half-adult, half-child is not placing themselves in danger.