We need some help to control what our kids are doing online

Do we really need the right to snoop on our kids’ social media enshrined in law? It’s a pressing question. This week, the coroner presiding over the inquest into the murder of Leeds teacher Ann Maguire by 15-yearold pupil Will Cornick drew a line in the sand and stated that “any parent’s responsibility transcends any teenager’s entitlement to privacy”.

Cornick had openly bragged on social media about his intention to kill Mrs Maguire, and went on to stab her to death in front of the class during a Spanish lesson.

His parents had no idea what he was posting online. I can only begin to imagine the horror and guilt they must be feeling. But, truthfully, how many of us know what our children are up to in cyberspace behind closed doors?

When my daughter got her first phone at 11, I would go through it every so often. It was no big deal to either of us.

Now she’s 15, she is appalledverging-on-hysterical if I even glance at her locked screen. Call it privacy or brand it secrecy: teenagers crave a life away from prying parental eyes.

And, frankly, who has the energy to fight yet another battle on the home front now we have been told we must limit children’s screen time to 90 minutes a day to combat obesity?

But parenting does not stop at the bedroom door. I’m an instinctively laissez-faire mother, but I know I should stomp upstairs and intervene more – after all, I’m a grown up so I can bring my glass of wine with me.

It’s hard reasoning with young people. Wrenching an iphone off a surly 16-year-old when you don’t know the passcode is doomed to failure.

So in answer to my earlier question, yes, we do need legislation. Loathe as I am to invite government interference, parents could do with a little help on this one.

Wrenching an iphone off a surly teenager when you don’t know the passcode is doomed to failure