Do Children have a Right to Privacy?
By Dr. Kalman Heller, Child and Family Psychologist The schoolbag was sitting on the kitchen counter. Not a typical occurrence. Usually it’s on the floor in the hall. Ellie wasn’t sure what prompted her, but she had a strong urge to look inside. She didn’t really suspect anything. Sure, John had his problems, inconsistent schoolwork, a bit more moodiness, but that seemed mostly like the normal impact of adolescence. “He’s really a good kid,” she thought. “I shouldn’t be doing this.” But Ellie reached in anyway. Where Privacy and Safety Collide Parents often struggle with the boundaries of a child’s