There's a radio ad in the morning for Chase. A teenageish girl calls her dad to say she's at the movies and she has her debit card. The next message is her calling to say they're going to the mall. Then he gets a message from Chase saying that someone has charged more than $20.00 to that account and so he calls the daughter to ask her about her charge. I have many many issues with this commercial.
- She seems to check in a lot. I know times are different but I don't think teenagers need to call when they've arrived at the movies to say they made it. That's a bit excessive.
- Is this money in her account HER money or her parents'? If it is her money, he shouldn't care how she is spending it. Let her learn the responsibility to spend it wisely.
- If it is her parents' money, why does she have a card linked to their account? And, why not let her make the mistake and work out how to fix it when she gets home. Calling instantly to correct her behavior doesn't give her the opportunity to accept responsibility for her actions.
- If it is money she is not supposed to have access to (like a college fund) see #3.
- If it is "emergency" money, why would she need emergency money? Clearly she's got a cell phone and can call a parent if she needed cash in an emergency. Otherwise I still say let her make the mistake and have the opportunity to accept the responsibility for the actions.
All in all the commercial seems to define helicopter parents in a fairly clear way.

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