Keeping Track of Kid's Online Surfing

There are many methods to spy on your child's Internet usage. Read on for one easy option that is free and produces immediate results.

The Issue

Today's parents have to be vigilant about knowing what their children are doing online. There are many methods to prevent their children from viewing undesirable websites when they are online. Each way has its strengths and weaknesses, but one method stands out above all the rest for maximum effectiveness.

For adults who throw up their hands and say it is too hard to keep track of what their children are doing when they are connected to the Internet, I have a comparison that they should pay attention to Would they have a similar reaction if the discussion was about playing with matches on the parlor floor? Why then is the discussion of computer usage any different?

Age Warning Pages

Age warning pages or minimum age verification check boxes on websites 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 teen's viewpoint, those measures only serve to make the website more interesting and they no doubt check off the age box in whatever way will let them into the site.

Help At The ISP Level

Well-known search engines and some ISP's have "parental locks" just like the V-Chip on televisions. The purpose of these is to block access to sites that have objectionable content. You can modify search engine home pages to only show results of an acceptable nature. There are usually levels of "safety" that parents can set.

Parents also spend lots of money on Internetfiltering programs such as Norton Internet Security, K9 Web Protection, CyberSitter, and other similar products. While they are probably reasonably effective, computer filtering programs has its quirks too. The usual example is that the filters block viewing of medical or medical related information such as thoat belonging to various breast cancer foundations because those sites refer to body parts.

Getting More High-Tech

Stepping it up a bit technology wise, there are software solutions called keyloggers. Keyloggers save to memory what has been typed on a keyboard and can retrieve that information. Essentially, they are allowing parents} to learn what has been typed on a keyboard long after the typing is done. Also be aware that there are programs that can record everything that has taken place on a particularcomputer including, chat discussions, e-mail messages, e-mails, email conversations sent and received, pictures viewed, and websites visited. Some programs even allow you to put in place a system to alert when a violation has occurred such as a kid visiting a websites that a parent or guardian has instructed is off limits.

Any or all of the above methods 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 idea that every parent should put into use immediately.

The Ultimate Solution

The most efficient solution is also the most obvious one, which means that is easily overlooked. It can be stated in one sentence; it promotes family unity and it's free. Ready? Put the PC right in the middle of the living room!

Do you need a minute to get over the shock of this suggestion? I warned you that the brilliance would be in the simplicity. I'm sure 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 deal with the arguments that your children's friend's parents let them have their computers in their own rooms.

Appropriate parenting skills should never be based on the neighbors and their parenting style unless they are exemplary role models as parents. If that describes your situation, I can practically guarantee that your their children will never beg you to copy their parenting techniques.

Parents, stay strong and don't be afraid to get that computer front and center in the parlor immediately and you will never again have to wonder what your kids post on their facebook profiles and with whom they are chatting in chatrooms.