Txt messages to att

You will see a list of your text and picture messages on the page where you can read, reply or whatever from within that page. They check text messages on a fairly regular basis as far as I can tell, being careful only to check without leaving any trace. The legality of checking up on your kids depends on their age and where you live. If they are minors then keeping an eye on them is legal in most places as they are your responsibility. Older children still under your care are subject to the same, or similar laws.

Is it right to spy on your children in this way? I agree with location monitoring for your children or even spouse as I think that can offer a lot of value. I know an adult couple who both drive for Uber and have location tracking enabled on both of their phones.

It sets their mind at ease and means they can go about their work with peace of mind. Then we need to step back and let them make mistakes and use the judgment we taught them to do the right thing.

I consider spying on their text messages as a betrayal of trust. It is entirely up to you whether you monitor them or not. This also allows you to download texts to any device. This is tricky, and it depends on the situation. In City of Ontario v. Quon , the Supreme Court ruled that employers had the right to search cellular devices owned by the employer and used by the employee, if the employer believed the device was being used in such a way that broke workplace rules or the law.

A search by the employer must be reasonable i. If the parents own the phone of the child — provided the child is a minor under the age of 18 — they are legally entitled to the text messages stored on it. Parents, in the eyes of the law, are seen as having authority over their children under the age of 18, so long as that authority does not constitute abuse or material harm.

If the parents purchased the phone for a child over the age of 18, however, the rule would not apply. In these cases, your attorney would invoke the Stored Communications Act , as well as any relevant state law. You would have to procure a subpoena or file an ex parte motion with the court procedures vary from state to state.