If you want to try to control how your child is surfing the net, refer to the list of Controls listed at the end of this article. But first,it is important to understand that these types of software only solve part of the problem of online predators. Good parenting is the first control a child needs in his life. Software such as we will discuss help, of course, but they will not completely eliminate risks to your children. You have to be a part of and aware of his life by keeping an eye out for certain signs.
Be concerned if your child quickly minimizes the screen or switches the browser if you enter his room. Be concerned if you see a message such as "POS" when you are in the room. Get to know the IM language so you can see what is going on. "POS", by the way, means "parent over shoulder".
-Be concerned if your child receives phone calls from people you don't know. -Be concerned if your child has new clothing; perhaps a predator is giving him gifts. -Be concerned if your child suddenly does not want to attend school, or does not want to go online. He may be being bullied.
If you do think there is a problem, the first thing you need to do is report it. YOu can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children hotline. They are experienced in analyzing these types of problems and alerting the right parties. You should also notify your internet services provider;they are responsible for reporting any suspected cases of child pornography.
One of the most crucial things you can do is to make sure both you and your child are educated about the risks that exist online. Everybody loves the internet and it can bring wonderful things to our lives. BUt it can also be very dangerous. Think of it as you would a swimming pool. It is great fun to have, but if you don't use the proper precautions such as a fence around it, and locks on the fence, it can be a very dangerous thing.
As mentioned, there is various software available to help a parent control online behavior. But this hands off attitude is no substitute for real parenting where you watch your children and know what they are doing. Searching the net will yield dozens or more offers for parental control software, but in order to order any one of them, you have to decide in advance which are the features you really need. You are going to want to control and, if necessary, block websites, emails, IMs and downloads. The idea is to track what your child is doing and saying on the internet. YOu will have to be aware of any websites he visits and when he is online sending instant messages.
The technology for this has been developed for a while and is not at all complicated. Before the epidemic of online child predators became such an issue, spy programs such as this were used to catch cheating spouses. It's just about the same software with new names; it can usually be purchased for less than $100. The more bells and whistles you want on it will make it cost more: up to $1,000.
The software you need for this purpose should be able to do the following: a. Control Content: An internet filtering device limits the types of websites that can be accessed. b. Control Programs: Is able to control who is available on IM (instant messaging), P2P (does not allow inappropriate files to be shared freely) and disallows other programs that may be of concern. c. Control Time: This feature can control the total amount of time your child spends online, and can also limit the time frames within which he can be online. For example, you may not want him to be able to access the internet at 3:00 a.m. d. Control Log-ins: Automatically keeps track of the sites visited by your child and produces a log for you to review. e. Usage Controls: Will set up an alarm system whereby you are notified if an off-limits website is visited on the computer being monitored. These alarms can be received on your own email, a text message or on your office or cell phone.
How do you feel about these controls? Feel like you are spying on your kid? You must remember how it felt when you thought your parents were looking through your "things". You felt invaded and distrusted. You may feel that you don't want to do the same thing to your child. In today's cyberworld, however, so much can happen to endanger your children, right within the confines of your home, where you should be able to think they are safe. But if you are concerned about losing your child's trust, are you more worried about losing your child's trust, or losing your child?
The internet is a scary place, and many parents are suddenly realizing exactly how scary it can be. Almost all teenagers have accounts at social networking sites like MySpace or Facebook, and not all of them know how to stay safe. They put identifying information on their sites and pictures that come across as sexual, even when they were taken as a way to be funny and silly at the time. This can cause a huge problem and headache for most parents, who worry about their children, especially when they are not very tech savvy themselves. There are ways, however, such as using products such as the remote desktop from ShowMyPc.com, to keep your kids, and your family, safe while using the computer.
Where you Place the PC
The first thing to look at is where your PC is placed in your home. If you have at least one child, chances are fairly high that you've got more than one PC in your home, as it can be difficult for parents and children to have equal time on the computer when you have only one. While getting another computer makes sense, all too often parents are quick to put the computer in their child's bedroom, making it easy for them to get into trouble while you're not looking. This can be a huge detriment and can cause a lot of issues to occur. Instead of allowing your child to have their computer in their room, try creating an office atmosphere in an empty room in your home. You may be able to set up an office in your basement, or in a spare room.
If there is no other way to adjust the situation and you find that your child needs to have their computer in their bedroom, make sure that they keep their bedroom doors open as much as possible. If they have their door closed, they are likely to get into more trouble than if it is open. It is also a good idea to have them take their laptops out of their rooms after bedtime is declared, to prevent the sneaks from getting online while you're sleeping.
Easy to Use Software
Another way to keep an eye on what is going on in your child's life is to use a remote desktop software of some kind. Remote desktop software lets you show your desktop to someone who is somewhere else, making it easier to fix your computer problems, but it is also great for keeping an eye on your kids. With remote desktop software uploaded on your work computer or your own personal desktop, you can take a sneak peak into your child's computer without them knowing that you're looking, allowing you to see everything that's going on in the computer. The more you know, the more able you will be to discuss computer safety issues with your child, keeping everyone in the household safe. Fortunately remote desktop software is often very easy to use, allowing even those who are not comfortable with complex hardware to install an use it quickly and easily.
Both Mike Batta & J.d Theis are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.