āPrivacy Settingsā Children around the world today have easy access to the internet, and other forms of social media. They are more exposed to the world today, compared to the childhood of their parents. The open world does have its benefits in providing easy access to information, globalization, and the like, but is open to the dangerous parts of the internet: scammers, cyberbullying, etc.. This makes the parents of today skeptical and afraid of what their child might be doing on their social media and their general use of internet, because of the said dangers. Thus, heavy monitoring and regulation are done by the parents, even to the point of invading a childās privacy. This leads to children mistrusting their parents when they get too involved in their internet use and social media, maybe even harboring mistrust and resentment. Parents should respect the privacy of their children because it will help them practice responsibility, individuality and trust among the family members. Parents may not think that it is a big deal to monitor their childrenās actions online and offline, since the risks of online dangers like cyberbullying are prevalent. Parents argue that their protectiveness and monitoring is to ensure their safety. As their parents, they regard them as vulnerable and still going through their cognitive and social development, to which media can greatly influence their actions whether it may be good or dangerous (Livingstone, 2006). Although this is a good argument for parents to justify their surveillance of their children, they do not consider how their actions might affect the relationship they have (Livingstone, 2006). Giving children the benefit of their privacy gives them a chance to develop their responsibility of handling their identity in the internet. According to an article on Child Development Institute entitled Give Your Teen Space, childrenās independence develops as they grow older. They then have the need for space in order to discover themselves as individuals (Parenting Today Staff, 2016). Young as they are, the parents of today have the tendency to underestimate their childrenās capabilities of being internet savvy. The view on what and how to use the internet is different between the generations, in which children got the hang of it before their parents could accept the changes. Another benefit of giving them privacy is strengthening the bond between the parents and their child. A more passive in parental presence gives a more enriching childhood for their kids (Ellen, B., 2013). The invasion of privacy condones the feeling of being watched and stalked by their parents, which is uncomfortable for their children. This then encourages them to engage in different tactics to avoid the watchful eyes of their parents. It is okay for parents to be concerned for their childās welfare, but never letting them experience pain can deprive them of valuable life lessons. Sheltering your children too much may hinder them from learning from their mistakes (Henry, 2013). A study conducted by Kay Mueller on Pampered Children and the Impact of Parenting Styles has proven that children who are overprotected can make them too sensitive to external dangers, leading to anxiety and avoidance behavior. This is also connected to why children develop low self esteem, the feeling of inadequacy, and over dependence (Mueller, 2011). In the realm of the internet, this can also be seen when children are exposed to different types of people. Rather than protecting children from threats such as cyberbullying and false information, they are more prone to be negatively affected by these. Parents should learn how to trust their children and their use of the internet. Their generation is aware of the dangers more than what their parents think. This mutual trust then encourages them to be responsible for their usage of the internet and have a good bond between the family. If parents are still unsure, limit their monitoring to which both parties can compromise and be satisfied with their arrangement. The internet is a gateway for hackers, bullies, and other threats to thrive in but at the same time, provides us with easy access to communication and information. Balancing the monitoring and letting them have their privacy is the most optimal setup between parent and child, fostering trust, respect, and responsibility in the child.