AITA for turning my son into the police?

Teenagers make mistakes, but what happens when those mistakes cross the line into criminal activity? OP’s 16-year-old son was caught catfishing elderly people for money, scamming them out of small amounts of cash to fund his video game and sneaker obsession. When confronted, he showed no remorse, saying that if they were “stupid enough to fall for it,” they deserved to lose their money.

Feeling she needed to teach him a serious lesson, OP gathered evidence and reported him to the police. Now, she’s devastated and wondering if she overreacted. Her friends are horrified, saying she should have handled it privately rather than exposing him to the legal system. Now, OP is questioning everything—was she being a responsible parent, or did she go too far?

‘AITA for turning my son into the police?’

Expert Analysis

This isn’t just about punishment—it’s about rehabilitation.

Understanding Teen Criminal Behavior

According to Dr. Laurence Steinberg, a leading psychologist in adolescent brain development, teenagers have underdeveloped impulse control and decision-making skills, which can lead to risky or unethical behavior—but this does not mean they are beyond redemption.

At 16, his brain is still developing. While this behavior is concerning, it doesn’t necessarily mean he is a sociopath—it means he lacks empathy and moral reasoning, something that can still be taught.
Harsh punishment doesn’t always work. Studies show that involving juveniles in the criminal justice system can actually make them more likely to reoffend because it exposes them to negative influences. (National Institute of Justice)

Did OP Make the Right Call?

While OP’s fear and frustration are completely understandable, reporting him to the police should have been a last resort. There were other steps she could have taken first, such as:

1. Mandating therapy to address his lack of empathy.
2. Making him apologize and repay his victims.
3. Assigning real-life consequences at home, such as restricted privileges and monitored internet access.

The Consequences of Legal Action

1. Even juvenile records can have long-term consequences. Colleges, employers, and even landlords may be able to access sealed or expunged juvenile records.
2. It damages trust between parent and child. OP’s son may now see her as an enemy, not a guide, making him less likely to open up in the future.
3. This may not “scare him straight”—instead, he may become more defiant or feel like he has nothing left to lose.

What Should OP Do Now?

1. Hire a lawyer to minimize the legal damage.
2. Get her son into therapy immediately.
3. Have open, non-judgmental discussions about morality and consequences.

Here’s what Redditors had to say:

OP’s son’s actions were unquestionably wrong, but so was immediately turning him over to the police. A better approach would have been strong consequences at home, therapy, and a plan for rehabilitation rather than exposing him to a flawed legal system.

What do you think? Was OP justified in reporting him, or did she take it too far? Let us know below.