Is it okay to hack your kid's Facebook account?

One in 10 parents say they secretly log into their kids' social networking accounts to track possible problems. Is that spying or just smart parenting?

Wondering what your kids are up to online? Some pundits say: Ask before you snoop.
(Image credit: Corbis)

Gone are the days of reading your child's diary to track her social life or ensure he's not a victim of bullying. According to a new study, 72 percent of parents say they openly monitor their kids' online social networking, while one in 10 parents do so secretly — logging into their children's Facebook accounts (or the equivalent) to stay in the loop. Is this good parenting or an invasion of privacy?

It's not okay: "Really? 1 in 10 parents think it's OK to spy on their kids without their knowledge?" asks Nick Saint in the San Francisco Chronicle. "That's pretty disturbing," and teenagers should take note.

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