More than half of parents track their adult children using digital technology, a new poll published by the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan found. However, experts warn that this kind of tracking can feed and cause anxiety in parents, rather than give them reassurance.
Concerns About Parental Tracking
According to the poll, nearly 25% of parents who track their adult children said the monitoring could sometimes magnify their apprehensions rather than give them reassurance. This is because when parents only have one data point, their brain has to fill in the rest, making assumptions and jumping to conclusions that may or may not be accurate.
Experts suggest that parents should be open about their concerns and build trust with their child, rather than relying solely on tracking. They also recommend teaching young adults how to make responsible decisions themselves, which would make them far safer in the long run.
Importance of Boundaries and Communication
Sarah Clark, a research scientist at the University of Michigan, emphasized the importance of clear communication and boundaries in parent-child relationships. She noted that remote monitoring could not only harm the relationship but also prevent the development of independent, critical thinking in young adults.
Clark encouraged parents to reflect on their own upbringing and to negotiate with their adult children about occasional check-ins, rather than surveilling them. This approach would allow parents to maintain a sense of connection with their children while also giving them the autonomy to make their own decisions.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
