Monitoring Kid's Internet Surfing

There are many options to monitor kids' online usage. Here you'll discover one simple method that costs nothing and produces immediate results.

The Issue

Parents should be vigilant about knowing what their teens are doing online. There are many ways to prevent their teens from viewing inappropriate URL's when they are online. Each option has its strengths and its weaknesses, however there is one method that stands out above all the other ways when it comes to maximum effectiveness.

For adults who give up and claim it is too hard to keep track of what their teens are doing on the computer, I have a comparison that they should take to heart. Would they have a similar reaction if the discussion was about playing with matches on the parlor carpet? Then why is the topic of online usage any different?

Age Warning Pages

Age warning pages or minimum age verification checks on websites cover the operator of a site from a legal standpoint for trying to keep out those who are not old enough to view the site's content. Of course, from a kid's point of view, those safeguards only serve to make the site more appealing and they no doubt check off the age box in whatever way will give them access to the site.

Help At The ISP Level

Leading search engines and some ISP's have "parental locks" similar to the V-Chip on TV's. The purpose of these is to block access to sites that have undesirable material. You can set search engine home pages to only show acceptable content. There are usually degrees of "safety" that parents can choose.

Parents also spend money on Internetfiltering programs like CyberPatrol, K9 Web Protection, ContentBarrier, and other similar products. While they are probably reasonably effective, computer filtering programs has its share of quirks too. The usual example is that the filters block viewing of medical or medical related websites such as thoat belonging to various breast cancer foundations because those sites make reference to anatomy.

Going Higher Hi-Tech

Stepping it up a bit technology wise, there are computer solutions known as keyloggers. Keyloggers save to memory what has been input on a keyboard and can display that information. In effect, these keyloggers are allowing someone} to discover what has been typed on a keyboard long after the typing is completed. Also be aware that there are programs that can record everything that has been done on a particularcomputer including, chat room conversations, e-mail messages, e-mails, email conversations sent and received, pictures downloaded, and URL's visited. Some software even allows parents to create a system to let someone know when a violation occurs such as a kid visiting a chat room that a parent or guardian has instructed is off limits.

Any or all of the above suggestions may contribute to a parent's overall strategy to protect his or her teens from the dangers of the modern online world, but there is still one more idea that every parent should put into use right away.

The Final Solution

The easiest solution is absolutely the most obvious one, which means that is easily overlooked. It only takes one sentence; it promotes family unity and it costs nothing. Ready? Put the PC smack dab in the middle of the main room of the house!

Do you need a moment to get over the shock of this idea? I warned you that the brilliance would be in the simplicity. I know you can imagine the look of astonishment 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 put an end to the arguments that your children's friend's parents let them have their net access in their own bedrooms.

Good parenting techniques should never be based on the neighbors and their behavior unless they happen to be exemplary role models as parents. In that case, I can practically guarantee that your their kids will never beg you to imitate their parenting style.

Parents, stay strong and don't be afraid to get that computer front and center in the main room of the house right now and you will never again have to wonder what your kids post on their facebook profiles and with whom they are chatting through IM.