It’s only once we’re adults we can see the risks and foolishness of our own childhood and teen years with clarity. Some worry the internet makes the costs of inexperience higher than ever. Parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents naturally worry where their kids and teens are and who they’re with. It only takes one horror story about sexual assault, abduction, bullying, suicide, drug use or a party gone wrong to put absolute fear into people with under 18s in their lives.

Technology presents solutions to this very human response. Apps can give parents peace of mind by allowing them to discreetly look at their kids’ call history, texts and internet use. But Australian police are warning parents this breach of privacy could result in distrust and distract from the real threat of adult online predators.

Children and teens under 16 don’t enjoy the same levels of privacy as anyone older. They aren’t guaranteed doctor confidentiality and their psychologist is obliged to report matters of concern to caregivers. Is this fair? And should it be extended to internet use?

Are children and minors incapable of using privacy to their own benefit? Do the risks of giving privacy to children outweigh the potential costs? Or do we undermine and unfairly inhibit young people by not affording them privacy? Should privacy be for adults only?

FOR

Susan McLean runs Cyber Safety Solutions, an organisation advising schools, police, child protection agencies, medical professionals and sporting bodies on online safety. She won awards for her service as a Victorian Police Officer and established the Victoria Police Cyber Safety Project. Susan has provided expert advice to government hearings, inquiries and legislative reviews regarding child pornography, online harassment and internet bullying.

Liz Walker is an accredited sexuality educator and managing director of Youth Wellbeing Project. She works to help young people have positive sexual relationships – something she says can be impacted by online pornography. Liz wrote a children’s book, Not for Kids! It’s a resource aimed at helping parents, teachers and children discuss pornography and sexual harassment.

Max Koslowski is a year 12 school student and talented debater and public speaker. He has been a member of many debating teams that have either won or placed highly in national and state competitions. Max has been a member of the NSW State Debating Squad and is currently part of the Combined High Schools debating team. He is also in his school’s successful first grade team.

AGAINST

Suelette Dreyfus is a technology writer and academic, lecturing at The University of Melbourne’s Department of Computing and Information Systems. She specialises in privacy, cyber security, hacking and anonymity. Her book Underground has been translated into seven languages and she has co-authored a number of papers on technology’s impact on whistleblowing. Before entering academia, Suelette was a print journalist.

Tim Dean is a philosopher and the science and technology editor of online magazine The Conversation. Tim has won awards for his work in public philosophy which includes, among many things, being published in New Philosopher and appearing Channel 10's The Project. He wrote his PhD thesis with UNSW, focussing on ethics, evolution, game theory, psychology and politics.

Beatrice Duong is a fourth year science and biomedicine student. She has been involved in a number of high-school and intervarsity debating tournaments over the last eight years. Beatrice is an integration aide, private tutor and public speaking coach. She is particularly interested in issues intersecting youth, education and health. This is her second IQ2 debate.