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Keeping Track Of Your Teenager's Computer Time

There are many ways to control your kid's computer usage. Below you will find out a simple option that is free of charge and creates instant results.

The Problem

Modern parents have to be vigilant about knowing what their kids are doing online. There are many ways to prevent their kids from surfing undesirable URL's when they are online. Each of the ways has its strengths and its weaknesses, but one method stands out above all the rest when it comes to maximum effectiveness.

For parents who throw up their hands and say it is too hard to keep track of what their kids are doing on the computer, here is a comparison that they can take to heart. Would they have a similar response argument if the discussion was about playing with matches on the parlor floor? Then why is the topic of online usage any different?

Age Verfication

Age warnings or minimum age verification check boxes on Internet sites cover the webmaster from a legal standpoint for trying to keep out those who are not old enough to view the content. Of course, from a kid's viewpoint, those safeguards only serve to make the site more interesting and they no doubt check off the age box in whatever way will let them into the site.

Blocking Access

Major search engines and some Internet service providers have "parental locks" similar to the V-Chip on television sets. The purpose of these is to block access to sites that have non-parent approved content. You can set up search engine start to only show acceptable content. There are usually levels of "safety" that you can choose.

Parents also spend money on Internetfiltering software like CyberPatrol, K9 Web Protection, ContentBarrier, and other similar products. While filtering is probably reasonably effective, Internet filtering software has its quirks too. The usual example is that the filters block access to medical or medical related websites such as thoat belonging to various breast cancer foundations because those sites refer to body parts.

Getting More High-Tech

For an even more-high-tech solution, there are computer solutions called keyloggers. Keyloggers save to memory what has been typed on a keyboard and can retrieve that information. Essentially, keyloggers are allowing someone} to spy on what has been typed on a keyboard after the fact. There are also programs that can record everything that takes place on a particularcomputer including, IM conversations, e-mail messages, e-mails, email conversations sent and received, pictures viewed, and IP addresses visited. Some software even allows you to put in place a system to alert when a violation has occurred such as a teenager visiting a Internet address that a parent or guardian has instructed him or her not to visit.

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

Your Best Bet

The best solution is also the most obvious one, which means that is easily overlooked. It only takes one sentence; it fosters family togetherness and it costs nothing. Ready? Put the PC directly in the middle of the living room!

Do you need a moment to get over the shock of this suggestion? I warned you that the brilliance would be in the simplicity. I know you can imagine the look of horror 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 laptops in their own rooms.

Effective parenting techniques should never be based on the neighbors and their parenting style unless they happen to be exemplary role models as parents. If that is the case, I can practically guarantee that your their children will never beg you to imitate their parenting methods.

Parents, stay strong and don't be afraid to get that computer front and center in the main room of the house immediately and you will never again have to wonder what your kids post on their MySpace pages and with whom they are chatting over an instant messenger service.