Am I a bad parent for buying a lock pick set for our 13yo son? With Poll!!

[bbhaag]

Recently our 13yo son has been watching the LockPickingLawyer on Youtube and asked for a lock picking set. After talking it over with my wife we agreed that it would be ok but he had to use his own money to buy it. He just got it today and is really excited.

Here's a short vid I shot on my phone of him raking a lock. He had the set for about 3 hours before he showed us what he learned. So what say you ATOT are we good parents or bad ones for indulging him in this new hobby?

 

[Platypus]

No, not at all.

Just make sure you teach him to use his knowledge responsibly and all will be well.

 

[lxskllr]

Good hobby. I don't see a single issue with it.

 

[Platypus]

If you need any good lock ideas or gear advice let me know.

A good place to get some quality tools:

www.ThinkPeterson.com

Premier Locksmith Tools

www.thinkpeterson.com

 

[Raizinman]

At that age he will obviously try his had at something dishonest and then he will be looking at breaking and entering or burglary. Too tempting for someone this young. Once he tells his friends (bragging rights or helping with a lock on a locker) they will pressure him to break into the principals office or someplace else. Nope, too young for this. You are opening a pandora's box.

 

[VirtualLarry]

At that age he will obviously try his had at something dishonest and then he will be looking at breaking and entering or burglary. Too tempting for someone this young. Once he tells his friends (bragging rights or helping with a lock on a locker) they will pressure him to break into the principals office or someplace else. Nope, too young for this. You are opening a pandora's box.

I disagree. Much like guns, if you raise the "Child" responsibly, there really shouldn't be an issue. Responsible gun-owning families don't bring their weapons to school and brandish them, just to "wow" their peers. I expect much the same with a responsible lock-picking "Child".

 

[lxskllr]

When I was in highschool, I used my pocket knife to break a teacher into his classroom cause he misplaced the key. I'd probably get tazed, shot, and then expelled if I did that today as a kid :^/

 

[allisolm]

Tell him that next year he gets the "How to Hotwire a Car" set.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Tell him that next year he gets the "How to Hotwire a Car" set.

The entire set of "Pink Panther" movies next?

Edit: Then when he turns 16, the "Mission Impossible" movies. Maybe he'll find a career choice.

 

[zinfamous]

of course this is after he identified the Toledo TBK14 that you have used to secure your liquor cabinet, right?

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Yes, you're horrible.

You bought something that didn't have an electronic screen that they might actually learn a skill from. We can't have you doing that.

 

[PowerEngineer]

Tell him that next year he gets the "How to Hotwire a Car" set.

I agree that knowledge in and of itself is never a bad thing. But as a parent I (was and) would be reluctant to encourage a teenage boy's interests in areas like these that might amplify the consequences of immature decision making.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Real men would have gotten him a copy of the anarchists cookbook.

 

[Paladin3]

You know your kid far better than any of us do and how much responsibility you've taught him. If you've done a good job so far, and he is appropriately responsible for his age, then there is no reason the lock pick set should be a problem.

IMHO, it's better to give your teens sufficient opportunities to develop their decision making skill now than attempt to shield them from all responsibilities. In three years he will be wanting to drive. Two years after that he will be an adult, able to vote, join the military, sign a legally binding contract an all that. Puberty is around the corner, if not already here, and he will soon be able to help make a baby. Best to teach him responsibility now.

 

[rh71]

I bought a set from Amazon and just by jiggling the right key was able to easily pick open my Sentry Safe (I know) which had a dead battery and lost key.

As for fun - I'm sure he'll be interested in it for as long as he would be a Rubik's Cube. So like a week.

 

[skull]

I bought a set from Amazon and just by jiggling the right key was able to easily pick open my Sentry Safe (I know) which had a dead battery and lost key.

As for fun - I'm sure he'll be interested in it for as long as he would be a Rubik's Cube. So like a week.

Those cheap sentry safes can be picked with a paper clip and a screwdriver in 2 seconds no need for a lock pick set.

 

[sandorski]

Seems odd, not really a skill set many need, but whatever.

 

[rh71]

Those cheap sentry safes can be picked with a paper clip and a screwdriver in 2 seconds no need for a lock pick set.

I tried. I even tried the banging method.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Next its safe cracking, vault intrusion and then some jail time. Yippie!

 

[Red Squirrel]

The key (no pun intended) is to be REALLY good at lock picking, then the jail time is short lived. You should be able to pick any lock with a plastic fork or knife.

Seriously though I don't really see an issue with it, as long as he knows to not use it for harm. It's kind of like computer hacking, some people just like to try to find exploits in stuff but don't mean harm. Unfortunately that can still land you in lot of trouble though, Kevin Mitnick was that type and got sent to PMITA prison. He ended up getting off early but yeah, just something to watch what that sort of thing. At least stuff like lock picking with things like padlocks and safes if it's done at home then there is no risk of really getting in trouble. Just don't go trying to open gates and doors on private property even if it's just for fun.

 

[BudAshes]

Do you plan on locking him in a room that is slowly filling with water and telling him he has to pick the lock in 15 min. or he will drown? If yes then probably, if not then you should be fine.

 

[lxskllr]

Umm, about that room... Is there a statute of limitations or anything? Asking for a friend...

 

[bbhaag]

Thanks for the replies everyone! To be honest I wasn't sure which way this was gonna go. haha
Anyway, yes we have instilled in both our sons the need to use the knowledge that life/us has tough them responsibly. Just like we have already done with knives, guns, fire and in our older sons case the use of alcohol ect. None of those things are "bad" as long as they are used in a RESPONSIBLE manner.

As far as hot wiring cars go we kind of figure that will be next years life lesson....

 

[BudAshes]

Thanks for the replies everyone! To be honest I wasn't sure which way this was gonna go. haha
Anyway, yes we have instilled in both our sons the need to use the knowledge that life/us has tough them responsibly. Just like we have already done with knives, guns, fire and in our older sons case the use of alcohol ect. None of those things are "bad" as long as they are used in a RESPONSIBLE manner.

As far as hot wiring cars go we kind of figure that will be next years life lesson....

And just think, when you teach him how to properly cook Crystal Meth you wont have to pay for college, he will have a job right out of high school!

 

[sdifox]

Should have just got him a copy of GTA V and jump start his life in crime.