Children no longer have independence because of parents stalking them via social media, according to Jane Lunnon, Headteacher of Wimbledon High School.
Social platforms previously reserved for young people are now inundated by snooping parents and Lunnon worries this trend is stunting children’s independence.
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Betsie Van der Meer via Getty Images
Lunnon told the Telegraph: “Because of FaceTime, Snapchat, Skype, parents can be - if they want to - permanently overseeing the lives of their children and it's problematic."
Many parents use social media as a way of learning more about their children's lives, friends and what they're up to out of sight. But have you taken it too far and are you becoming a social media snooper?
1. You play it cool and pretend you don't need a reassuring text, because you know you have Facebook check-in.
2. You spend hours watching Snapchat tutorials on YouTube.
3. You accidentally like your son's status and flap around your living room wondering whether to unlike it.
4. You feel like you've lived through your daughter's-best-friend's break up with her.
5. Then you have to pretend you know nothing about it when she comes round for dinner.
6. You use the phrases snap, bae, IDK and FML in conversation.
7. You take daily Snapchat screenshots as evidence to add to the "my son has a secret girlfriend" conspiracy theory folder.
8. You spend hours analysing the chemistry between your child and every other person on their social channels.
9. Your child tells you stories you already know the ending of, because you watched it happen on their Snapchat.
10. When their phone flashes at the dinner table you try and read it upside down.
11. Other parents in the playground ask you for the latest gossip.
12. You correlate where your child says they are going against the Instagram geo-locater.
13. You have secret profiles under an alias for deep-level stalking.
14. Your child's friends have blocked you more than once.
15. You have seen so many things you wish you could un-see.
16. You won't stop stalking your child until the moment they leave home... and even then, maybe not.
Kids' Inventions Brought To Life
The Liftolator (War avoider)(01 of14)
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An invention by Charlotte Scott, age 11, made into model form by Erin Dickson at Fab Lab Sunderland.
A thought provoking idea, bringing safety to those living in danger.
(02 of14)
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Pringles Hook(03 of14)
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Invention idea by Georgia Dinsley, age 11, recreated in 3D graphics by Andy Mattocks.
"I struggle to get my Pringles out (of the bottom of the tub), well here’s a cure! A hook that you pull to get more Pringles out" -Georgia Dinsley.
(04 of14)
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Shady Lamp(05 of14)
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An invention idea by Layla Amir, age 11, made real by Carl Gregg at Fab Lab Sunderland.
A brilliant idea that allows the owner to dim the light just like pulling closed a pair of venetian blinds.
(06 of14)
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Flipping Rope(07 of14)
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An invention idea by Chloe Main, age six, recreated in 3D graphics by Andy Mattocks.
“The flipping Rope is a flying skipping rope. Like a normal skipping rope but with propellors and lights on the end. You can skip, you can fly, or you can skip while you fly. Propellors are battery powered. Make sure you land before they run out! Children will use it to skip to other countries and pilots who want more fun will use it too!” Chloe Main
(08 of14)
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Handy Hi 5(09 of14)
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An invention idea by Oliver, age six, made real by Tony Canning of Fab Lab Sunderland.
When you succeed at something but there is no one around to give you a hi five, this machine is perfect.
(10 of14)
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Leaf Catcher(11 of14)
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An invention by Elsie Ronald, a great aunt to a young family. Elsie came to a INVENTORS! workshop with her family. Dominic asked if she would like to draw an invention idea. Elsie was a little reluctant. Five minutes later Dominic returned to find Elsie had drawn this Leaf Catcher device.
(12 of14)
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Clever Clothing(13 of14)
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An invention idea by Charlotte Stothard, age ten, made real by Kate Eccles.
"My invention is a dress that turns into a top. Buy one get one free outfit. The button holes at the bottom fold to attach to the buttons underneath the skirt. Then unfold the hidden straps and wear it as a top." Charlotte Stothard