But a recent poll of parents showed that over 50% of those asked felt it was too intrusive to go through their children’s phones.
However father-of-two Peter, whose girlfriend Emily Macdonagh is around 6 months pregnant, disagrees.
The 40-year-old, who is father to 8-year-old Junior and 6-year-old Princess with ex-wife Katie Price, argues that it is a parent’s role to actively prevent any sort of abuse- and 13 is not too old to check a child’s phone.
Taking to his column, the 2010 father of the year wrote:
'I definitely think parents have a right to read their kids' texts'
‘Parents are apparently being encouraged to read their children's text messages to prevent sexual abuse.
‘But, shockingly, over half of parents who took part in a poll feel that it's too intrusive.
‘I definitely think parents have a right to read their kids' texts.
‘Even if they're 12 or 13 years old, they're still their parents' responsibility and if it can prevent any kind of abuse, whether verbal or sexual, then I think it's a good idea.
‘I would check my children's phones until I thought they'd reached an age where I didn't need to.’
But psychologist and author Oliver James believes you should trust your children- or not give them a phone.
‘If you have a good relationship with your children, you have nothing to worry about,’ says James.
‘If your child has half a brain they can spot a fake'
‘The vast majority of kids don’t come to any harm; if you think you have the sort of troubled child who is vulnerable, then what are they doing owning a piece of equipment that can lead them into difficulties?’
‘Yes, there are people online pretending to be 16 when they are really 30 or 50, but what can you do?
‘If your child has half a brain they can spot a fake. And besides, I have absolute confidence that my children will be moderate and sensible.’
Do you check your children’s phones or do you think this is an invasion of privacy?
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