Parents ask a private detective to spy on their 17-year-old during Schoolies
A private investigator has rejected an overprotective parent’s request to spy on their underage child while they party at Schoolies Week.
Cassie Crofts, the owner of Venus Investigations, said the parent asked her to keep an eye on her 17-year-old while they attended end-of-year celebrations.
Ms Crofts shared the potential job on TikTok, describing it as one of the strangest requests she had received to date.
“The parent asked if I would like to keep an eye on their child while they were at Schoolies later this year,” she said. “This is the first time I’ve received such a request.”
Ms Crofts said she struggled to understand their perspective.
“I’m not a parent, so I can’t say I know what it’s like to be in the situation where a teenager goes out without you for the first time and starts drinking,” she said.
Ms Crofts told the Daily Mail she had spoken to colleagues in the same industry who had dismissed the case and decided to do the same.
“Ultimately, I didn’t feel comfortable monitoring anyone under the age of 18, especially after talking to the parents,” she explained.
Ms Crofts shared the potential job on TikTok, describing it as one of the strangest requests she had received to date.
‘The parents and I had different views about the purpose of such surveillance.
‘We couldn’t agree on when I would intervene instead of just reporting.
‘I’m fortunate to be in a position where I can reject things that I don’t feel comfortable with. I think unless it’s a missing persons case, I would dismiss cases involving a minor.”
Aussies agreed it was the right decision.
“I think the 17 year old has a right to privacy,” one commenter said.
‘I think the parent should talk to their child and then trust their child.’
“If I were in your shoes I wouldn’t do it,” a second agreed.
“It almost sounds creepy,” said a third.
The 17-year-old had planned to attend Schoolies week after they graduated later this year
However, some thought the private investigator should have taken the job.
“A lot of people who attended Schoolies never came home so I don’t think it’s the worst idea,” said one.
“They just want to keep them safe so do that,” said another.