How do you convince your parents to remove parental controls?

Answer 1

There are really two questions involved here. Before the explicit question is answered, it is important to answer the implicit question: Should your parents remove the parental controls? In general, parental controls are put in place to protect children from accidental exposure to material that the parents don't want them exposed to, to prevent children from misusing the computer, and/or because parents don't trust the children. If any of these concerns are justified, then parents who care probably should NOT remove the parental controls.

Before removing parental controls, parents should be convinced that children know how to use the computer in a responsible manner and can be trusted to use that knowledge. It is also important that the children can be trusted to come to their parents and discuss it if they are unsure about something they encountered on the computer or if they have violated the trust and misused the computer. Honestly and integrity in other parts of your life can justify your parent's trust. If you are running around having promiscuous sex, lying, stealing, bullying, wasting time on the computer, neglecting schoolwork, mouthing off to teachers or parents, or otherwise engaging in misbehavior, it diminishes a parent's trust. Demonstrating an awareness of the dangers and an understanding of the risks inherent in using the computer can also give your parents confidence that you can be trusted. I would suggest that you come to an agreement with your parents on "acceptable use" of the computer. Security "best practices" companies already include establishing an "acceptable use" policy that employees are expected to read and sign prior to being granted access to company computers. It makes some sense to do it with your parents. In fact, it would be helpful for them for you to bring it up so that you can help them think through what their standards are and establish what their expectations are for you. You ought to also establish with them what the consequences are if you violate their rules. Show respect for your parents if you want them to trust and respect you.

If you can demonstrate that you are prepared to protect yourself and that you can be trusted to use the computer according to your parent's standards, you have a much better chance of convincing them to remove the parental controls.