[Vocabulary] Parents need to be aware of how their children spend time on the Internet.

[newkeenlearner]

Are these equivalent ?

Parents need to be aware of how their children spend time on the Internet.
Parents are required to be aware of how their children spend time on the Internet.

 

[agreva3]

Hmm ... they don't sound equivalent.

For me, "need to" conveys a general necessity, but the reason for this necessity isn't very clear.

On the other hand, "are required to" seems to use the passive voice, implying that there is an authority hidden somewhere. So, the second sentence gives me the sense of parents being forced to comply; otherwise, the parents would get punished! hahaha. At least, that's how I read it.

 

[Raymott]

NO. There is no requirement, legal or otherwise, in civilized societies.

You don't think there's a moral requirement?

 

[andrewg927]

Every time someone thinks they are treading lightly...

 

[andrewg927]

Now you're opening up a whole bucket of snakes.

Or perhaps a whole bucket of chum...?