Attending sleepovers as a kid is a rite of passage. Being able to spend all night gossiping with friends, giggling under a blanket fort and watching movies that Mom and Dad might not approve of is a great way to bond with friends and make lifelong memories. 

But when you’re a parent, you might feel some hesitation about sending your little ones off to another house for the night. And sadly, sleepovers can sometimes go awry. One mom recently reached out to Reddit detailing a concerning experience her daughter had at a friend’s house, as well as why she’ll never let her spend the night at another family’s home ever again. Below, you’ll find the full story, as well as a conversation with parenting expert Amy Morrison of Pregnant Chicken. 

Sleepovers are a great way for kids to bond with their friends

Image credits: Curated Lifestyle / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

But this mom has banned her daughter from attending any more after a creepy experience she had at a friend’s house

Image credits: Yosuke Ota / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Image credits: moooonstone

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

“Cameras in bedrooms can lead to feelings of mistrust, and kids may feel less secure or anxious if they know they are constantly being watched”

It’s natural for parents to want to keep an eye on their kids. It comes from a place of love and wanting to ensure that their children are safe and sound at all times. That’s why many moms and dads would prefer to keep their little ones at home, rather than dropping them off at a friend’s house or letting them roam around the mall without adult supervision.

But to what extent should parents be allowed to surveil their kids? It’s common for families to have security cameras in their homes to prevent theft and keep an eye on what happens on their property. But monitoring children’s bedrooms might be taking security a bit too far.

To find out more about this situation, we got in touch with parenting expert Amy Morrison of Pregnant Chicken.

“I’m sure there are situations where a camera might be warranted – a medical condition, sleepwalking, etc. – but children, especially as they grow older, deserve a level of privacy in their personal spaces,” Amy shared.

“Cameras in bedrooms can lead to feelings of mistrust, and kids may feel less secure or anxious if they know they are constantly being watched. Children should be able to develop a sense of autonomy and trust without feeling monitored,” the expert explained.

So what should a parent do if they find out their child has been monitored through a security camera at a friend’s house?

“They should first have an open conversation with their child to understand what happened and their feelings about the situation,” Amy says. “Any communication with the friend’s parents expressing privacy concerns should be respectful until you fully understand the situation – you don’t want to go off on these parents only to find out the cameras were pointed into the backyard for security purposes.”

“Depending on the parents’ response, it may be necessary to reevaluate the friendship or set boundaries for future visits. The main thing is to make sure your child knows they can always speak up about what makes them comfortable,” the expert added.

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“Children, especially as they grow older, deserve a level of privacy in their personal spaces”

According to Reolink, it’s usually not illegal to put cameras in a child’s room, as homeowners are allowed to install cameras on their property. And there are some legitimate reasons why moms and dads might need to keep an eye on their kids. 

For example, if you have a baby, it’s expected to have a baby monitor with a camera in their nursery. Some parents also like to have nanny cams on when their child is left with a babysitter, or if your kid has a health issue that means they need essentially constant supervision, a camera might be helpful.

However, it may be illegal to place cameras in areas that will encroach on the privacy of children. There is absolutely no need to have a camera watching your kids in the bathroom, where they change or anywhere else that would be considered an invasion of privacy.  

This is not only an issue because of what the parents will see on camera but also because of the security risks and how it may impact the child. Plus, the recordings from these cameras must be stored somewhere. And even if parents never intend to show the footage to anyone, it’s scary to imagine what people might get their hands on it if the security company is hacked or the parents’ account becomes compromised.

It’s key for parents to find a balance between supervising their children and allowing them privacy, so they can build and maintain a healthy relationship. They should make it clear that monitoring their kids comes from a place of love, to keep them safe from harm, but they must also understand that they can’t watch every move their kids make. Moms and dads should trust their children to make their own decisions, especially as they grow into adolescents.

We would love to hear your thoughts on this situation, pandas. Do you think this mother was right for calling out the family that had a security camera in their daughter’s room? Then, you can find another Bored Panda article discussing security cameras in children’s rooms right here. 

Readers were quick to share their concerns about the situation, as well as advice for the mother

Later, the mom shared an update after speaking to the other mothers involved

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