by TAYLOR IRWIN

In order to keep track of children in an environment that allows kids to be more independent, STA parents have taken more invasive measures such as reading text messages, installing GPS systems to cars and joining social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace.
Senior Chloe Watters’ parents read her text messages online, usually through their bill report they receive daily.
“I always sort of thought that they could do that,” Watters said. “But it was not until [Thanksgiving break] that I found out for sure.”

Watters is an example of parents watching children through their text messages. According to cell phone companies, more and more parents have been wanting to have more access to their children’s cell phone activities.
Watters was recently grounded, the main reason having been her mom was reading her texts online. Watters left the house for the night to study with a friend, but then later decided to meet up with other friends as well. She traveled to a different house than the one she had told her parents she was staying. Her mother later checked their bill that night, and found out through reading Watters’ texts, her daughter wasn’t where she had said she would be.
She immediately drove to where Watters was and took her home.

“It was just a hunch,” Chloe’s mother, Jane Watters said. “I just had a feeling she was lying, so I checked. I have a right to know where my daughter is.”

Verizon Wireless store manager Ronald Vasquez sees parents come in daily with their children to learn about different plans for their phones.
“Surprisingly, a lot of parents come in and ask about message reading,” Vasquez said. “They already know they can monitor who their children talk to, but now they also want to know what exactly they’re saying.”
According to Vasquez, parents have recently expressed the desire to monitor their children’s messages. He also predicts that the trend will increase as time wears on and parents become more anxious of their children’s technology skills.
For customers of Verizon Wireless, packages can be purchased that include the ability to receive copies of text messages both sent and received. While it’s not possible to review messages instantly online like with the Watters family, parents are able to acquire regular reports with every bill that is delivered once a month.
“It can be entertaining,” Vasquez said. “The moms always make sure to ask [about reading texts] when their kids are out of earshot.”
Chloe insists she didn’t lie and that it was all a misunderstanding.
“I told her where I was going, but I just didn’t stay there,” Chloe said. “I just don’t think it’s fair she read my texts. It’s violating my privacy.”
Chloe believes that her mother’s ability to read her texts affects their relationship in a negative way.
“It makes me think [Jane] doesn’t trust me,” Chloe said. “And if she doesn’t trust me, why should I trust her?”
Jane believes it is her right to read her daughter’s text messages for many reasons. Jane feels as if it is her duty to watch over and guide Chloe and know where she is at all times. To Jane, it’s just part of being a mother.
“It’s a simple matter, really,” Jane said. “I’m her mother, I have a job to protect her, and I can’t do that if she’s out jutting around Kansas City all the time without me knowing. Plus, I pay the bill, I can do whatever I want.”