In the past couple of years, I finally agreed to let my children (now ages 14 and 11) have email accounts, and most recently Facebook pages. The caveat on the email is they have to be ok with me spot-checking it from time to time, and on the Facebook the same, plus the stipulations that they have to keep me on their friends lists, everything is set to 'Friends Only' and they cannot add anyone to their friends who they have not personally met.

Is this too intrusive? My concern isn't with my kids, but with online predators. I've told them this, and I always let them know if/when I have taken a look, so they don't feel as if I am spying on them, but I wonder if perhaps they will eventually feel as if I am violating their privacy.

I feel like this is a more upfront way to go about it than, for example, the security software which would allow me to monitor their computer activity (even down to IMs) without them ever even knowing it - at least I am being honest with them and telling them I'm watching for their own protection - right? Or am I rationalizing?

What confused me it that my kids share their emails with me...