ipl-logo

Harlan Coben's Essay 'The Undercover Parent'

574 Words3 Pages

The Ninjas A teenager’s worst fear. Here you are: A teenage girl “innocently” hanging out with her boyfriend. Suddenly, out of nowhere you hear a thud not far behind you. You turn around and your boyfriend holds you tighter. You see a black lump under a tree. A ninja. That’s what parents are becoming. Harlan Coben’s article “The Undercover Parent” warns parents that the internet is a dangerous place for their children and even teens. I disagree that parents should use spyware, unless their teen is untrustworthy. The use of spyware eliminates the bond of trust between parents and children. Spyware doesn’t even work on emails or text messages. Then what are you supposed to do? When parents use spyware it takes the contract of a trust bond and sets fire to it. Once the ashes of it blow away in the wind, it’s difficult to repair it. As the wise will state, “you should simply trust your child…” (Coben 1). Trusting your child makes him/her trust you and that is an important part of the bond between parents and children. Kids need trusted adults they can talk too if they’re having an issue at school or something. During a class debate a student stated an excellent point that “If you tell your kid about using spyware on them you lose your their trust. It’s like saying, ‘I don’t trust you’” (February 18, …show more content…

But, what about threats that lurk in their inbox? Maybe even their outbox! Yes, your child could be sending out sinister messages. Spyware doesn’t messages or even emails. However, emailing and texting your friends doesn’t “offer the anonymity and danger of the Internet. They are usually one on one with someone you know” (Coben 2). If you do find out how to spy on your child’s inbox, you’re spying on their friend too. I don’t think their parents would appreciate that. It’s bad enough you are spying on your own child, but to spy on someone else’s child is just

Show More
Related

Effects Of The Treaty Of Versailles Dbq Essay

892 Words | 4 Pages

After the end of the first World War (1914-1918), Germany and its citizens were to take the blame for the war. A document known as the “Treaty of Versailles” explained the actions and reparations Germany had to take in order to pay for the war damage and casualties. A higher power known as Hitler rose to power after recognizing the harmful effects of the treaty and fueling the hope and pride of Germans. The Treaty of Versailles contributed to the beginning of WWII because Germany lost a lot of land and resources, Germany’s army was diminished to almost none, and Germany finally recognized the extent of the harsh treatment in the treaty. With the introduction of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was forced to give up a lot of its land and territory.

Read More

Summary Of The Undercover Parent By Harlen Coben

339 Words | 2 Pages

In Harlen Coben’s, The Undercover Parent, Coben argues that spyware should be applied to the computers of children, I disagree. Coben claims that spyware will let the parent protect the child from himself/herself by monitoring every technological footprint the child makes. Coben states, “Loving parents are doing the surveillance here, not faceless bureaucrats… Today’s overprotective parents fight their kids’ battles on the playground…yet when it comes to chatting with pedophiles or watching beheadings or gambling away their entire life savings... then their children deserve independence?”

Read More

'The Undercover Parent' By Harlan Coben

370 Words | 2 Pages

Stalking Is Different Than Monitoring In “The Undercover Parent”, by Harlan Coben he argues that parents have a right to monitor their children, by putting spyware on their computers or other devices, making it possible to see what they spend their time doing and to whom they spend their time talking. Though, the way that most teens see it, if a parent is allowing their child onto social media, then they should trust them enough to the point where they shouldn’t have to monitor everything they’re doing. While online, people can definitely change.

Read More

Parent's Actions In The Glass Castle, By Jon Krakauer

900 Words | 4 Pages

What are your parents doing? What are your doing? Everyone around the world has parents that influence what their kids do. Wether this is good or bad, we will take a look on how much parent’s actions influences their children's. There are many different things that can influence your kid's actions, but your parent’s actions should influence their kid’s actions to do better.

Read More

The Undercover Parent Coben

608 Words | 3 Pages

He believes that parents should only use spyware to listen for any dangerous chatter and to be “a safety net,” as Coben says. The author also, as I said, mentions some counterclaims in his article. One of the stronger counterclaims he had was that some parents say that kids are old enough to know the dangers of the Internet. But in reality, parents might as well let machines take

Read More

The National Collegiate Athletic Association: Non-Profit Analysis

904 Words | 4 Pages

(2010, March

Read More

Analysis Of The Undercover Parent

194 Words | 1 Pages

To the Editor: In the essay “The Undercover Parent” by Harlan Coben, the author calls the spyware on a child’s computer as “loving parents...doing the surveillance” and “not faceless bureaucrats” as a way to defend. But speaking as a person, who just quite recently went through those teenage years, I may not understand the perspective of a parent nor do I claim to. However, I do understand the big difference between Dick Cheney and a member of my family reading my messages but it doesn’t make the wound sting less. The government did it as a way of national defence, yet a lot of people felt like they were being violated; now having a parent download a spyware - that in most cases is meant for protection and hopefully the prevention of something

Read More

Media Violence In 'What's Up Doc?'

812 Words | 4 Pages

Within Ellison’s article, she depicts an unfortunate scenario that the majority of parents are significantly apprehensive about, their own child being exposed to the negative realm of the internet world. Ellison

Read More

Should The Renfrew County District School Board Continue To Censor The Internet

555 Words | 3 Pages

According to www.kidguard.com The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC-USA) reports “15 percent of children between ages 10 and 17 have been contacted via the internet for sexual intent.” With these numbers, this shows that kids having unlimited access to the internet can or will lead to them being involved in an illegal sexual activity.

Read More

A Rhetorical Analysis Of The Undercover Parent By Harlan Coben

1180 Words | 5 Pages

“Scary. But a good idea. Most parents won’t even consider it,” Harlan Coben states about spyware. In his opinion article, “The Undercover Parent”, Harlan Coben, author and columnist, expresses to his audience that they should monitor their kids and pro using spyware, but with the condition of making children aware it’s there.

Read More

Literary Techniques Used In To Kill A Mockingbird

662 Words | 3 Pages

I want you to think about those people that you like, that are in your inner circle, and then about the people on the outside of your circle. Why are they outside? Is it, just possibly, because they are different than you? Or because you’ve heard something about them? Or possibly just looking at them, you feel like there is something wrong about them?

Read More

The Undercover Parent Essay

461 Words | 2 Pages

What 's the first thing that comes in your mind when your hear spyware ? In Harlan Cobens, article, “ The Undercover Parent”, this article is going to be about how parents are always checking on their kids. Coben, states out that people should get spyware is good for your child. They support thesis by saying that all this equipment is helpful for your child to make sure they 're not doing anything bad. The authors purpose is that to tell parents that spyware is helpful to make sure your child is ok.

Read More

The Importance Of Monitoring Spyware On Children

1475 Words | 6 Pages

I agree when Coben says “Trust is one thing, but surrendering parental responsibility to a machine that allows the entire world access to your home borders on negligence” (1). Because when you, as a parent, allow your child to do whatever he/she pleases to do, you begin to put your child in harm's way. Although allowing your child to do certain things without having to get parental permission, there are things that can be harmful to a child without the child thinking about it. Although spyware is a GREAT idea, don’t completely invade their privacy because they will get antsy and may resort to extreme measures to get around their parents' surveillance. Most teenagers find their time of seclusion when they are on their phones.

Read More

Argumentative Essay On The Internet

1176 Words | 5 Pages

That being said, the internet could be a very dangerous thing for children to discover. The internet has many uses and can teach us many great things but letting children use it can lead to bad things, such as changes in attitude, thought process and general health conditions. It could corrupt their minds in ways that may not be suitable for the youth. An example of negative access to the internet would have to violence.

Read More

Essay On How To Stay Safe Online

744 Words | 3 Pages

Fear of a parent or guardian being cross is often more frightening than the uncomfortable experience they 've had online, but that is what some nasty people will count on. Talk to your children about what they are doing online and encourage them to use the SMART rules at all times. Consider placing the computer in a shared room of the house so its use does not become secretive and hidden. Make your online use a family

Read More

More about Harlan Coben's Essay 'The Undercover Parent'

Related Topics

Open Document