I’ve been worried about my child’s online activity lately, especially since they’ve become very secretive about their phone usage. I want to find a reliable way to monitor their texts, social media, and browsing history without them knowing, so they don’t feel like I’m invading their privacy and shut me out completely. Are there any parenting apps that run discreetly in the background and give me access to their activity through a dashboard on my own device? I’d also love to know how other parents have handled this situation while still maintaining trust with their kids.
Ah, the classic “dad wants to be a secret agent” move! 
Honestly, I’ve tried the ol’ “stealth mode” myself, but my kid’s got sharper senses than a Minecraft creeper. Best advice? Open up a chat, maybe over pizza—sometimes honesty (and extra cheese) goes a long way! 