| Monitoring Teenager's Online Use |
|
There are many methods to watch your child's computer usage. Read on for a simple method that is free of cost and is immediately effective. The Issue Parents must be vigilant about knowing what their children are doing when they are connected to the World Wide Web. There are many ways to prevent their children from surfing undesirable sites when they are online. Each of the ways has its strengths and weaknesses, but there is a way that stands out above all the rest for maximum effectiveness. For parents who give up and claim it is impossible to keep track of what their children are doing on the computer, here is a comparison that they should take to heart. Would they have the same reaction if the discussion was about playing with matches on the parlor floor? Why then is the topic of World Wide Web usage any different? Age Warnings Age warning pages or age verification checks on sites cover the webmaster from a legal standpoint for blocking those who are not old enough to view the site's content. Of course, from a kid's viewpoint, those safeguards only make the site more appealing and they no doubt check off the age box in whatever way will get them into the site. Blocking Access Major search engines and a number of Internet service providers have "parental locks" just like the V-Chip on televisions. The purpose of these is to block access to sites that have objectionable material. One can set up search engine start to only show results of an acceptable nature. There are usually degrees of "safety" that you can determine. Parents also spend lots of money on filtering software such as CyberPatrol, K9 Web Protection, ContentBarrier, and other similar products. While they are probably reasonably effective, Internet filtering software has its share of quirks too. An often-cited example is that the filters block access to medical or medical related research such as thoat belonging to various breast cancer foundations because those sites refer to anatomy. The Stealth Solution For an even more-high-tech solution, there are computer programs called keyloggers. Keyloggers keep track of what has been typed on a keyboard and can retrieve that information. Essentially, they are allowing someone} to find out what has been typed on a keyboard after the fact. Also be aware that there are programs that can record everything that has been done on a computer including, IM conversations, e-mail messages, e-mails, email conversations sent and received, pictures viewed, and websites visited. Some software even allows you to create a system to let someone know when a violation has occurred such as a teenager visiting a URL that a parent or guardian has instructed is off limits. Any or all of the above suggestions may contribute to a parent's overall plan to protect his or her children from the threats of the modern online world, but there is still one more suggestion that every parent should put into use right now. The Final Answer The easiest solution is also the most obvious one, which means that is easily overlooked. Here it is in one sentence; it fosters family togetherness and it's free. Ready? Put the computer right in the middle of the living room! Do you need a little while to get over the shock of this suggestion? I warned you that the brilliance would be in the simplicity. Undoubetdly you can imagine the look of shock on your son's face and the screams of complaint from your daughter that you are ruining her life and totally invading her privacy with this act of parental treason. You will have to endure the arguments that your children's friend's parents let them have their computer access in their own rooms. Good parenting techniques should never be based on the neighbors and their behavior unless they happen to be exemplary role models as parents. If that is the case, I can practically guarantee that your their children wont be begging you to imitate their parenting techniques. Parents, stay strong and don't be afraid to get that computer front and center in the living room immediately and you will never again have to wonder what your kids post on their blogs and with whom they are chatting via IM. About AuthorPlease visit writer Matthew W. Grant's free parenting website at (http://www.SomeoneElsesKids.com).Source: ArticleTrader.com |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|