Is there a limit as to how much you can limit your kids on the interent?

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Permalink Reply by Mommy B on January 13, 2009 at 3:32pm

Th password thing definitely depends on the child's age, I think. When my daughter was aroudn 9/10 and first discovered IMing I definitley had her passwords and would double check on who was in her buddy list. Now she's 15 and I don't worry so much because I feel like I've taught her good online etiquette.

As long as we're on this topic though, there is a new website launching this week that give tween girls all the fun of e-mail, IM and videos but everything is monitored (from a virtual distance) by parents. It's called GirlAmbition.com. I was lucky enough to snag an interview with the CEO that will be posted on my blog on Thursday. It's a concept that's long overdue.

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Permalink Reply by Joanna on January 13, 2009 at 3:47pm

This is a topic that I really haven't put much thought into yet. My son is only 7-months old, but I was writing my first program when I was 10, so I know it will happen quicker than I'd like. When I was growing up, my parents knew my passwords because my dad would set up my accounts. He would check in on them from time to time, but relied mostly on my own responsibility for computing. Of course, we were also able to use computers in the library and other places where parents were not able to watch. For my son, I don't have an example at as early of an age, so it's a bit harder.

I will probably want to set up all my son's online accounts - whether it be just to logon to the computer, access email, IM or other websites. It will definitely be worth spending some time to think about!

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Permalink Reply by Diana on January 15, 2009 at 6:35pm

I still have a password on my son's account because his time management is very poor. He's getting better, and I try to keep him responsible, but I also want him to know there is more to life than computer time. So he does other things and if the day goes well, he gets online. If not, then he doesn't have the distraction available.

My daughter as a young teen was getting sexually suggestive messages from camp friends who she didn't know well. I monitored both of their emails and she let them know that I monitored it and I was controlling and they shouldn't send it. When it continued, I deleted their emails and blocked them with the parental controls. Teenagers sometimes are amazingly explicit in their emails even with people they don't know well. I let my kids know that I will monitor and even though I don't read every single thing. It's more for effect, but I do jump in when I things have gotten out of hand.

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Permalink Reply by The Mother on May 18, 2009 at 10:46am

As the mom of four teenage (and now older) boys, I can tell you that this is a tear-your-hair-out problem.

The teens are too computer savvy for any monitoring program to actually work. They know how to clear cache, so you can't even check on them, even if you do maintain a password on their computers.

But the internet is also the coolest, most useful thing ever invented, and denying them the use of it seems pointless.

My compromise has been: I do keep back door administrative privileges on their computers. I do not allow them to use their real names in chat rooms or as usernames, anywhere. They may not give out their names, addresses or phone numbers, even to sign up for an account. All gaming accounts are in my name, with my email address.

So that takes care of safety. As for getting into things you don't want them to do? (Porn, of course). No idea how to stop them, except to go over your family's position on said stuff on a regular basis.

Let's face it, teenage boys will be teenage boys. I'd really rather they had a Playboy under their bed than a girl.

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Permalink Reply by Dominique Goh on May 22, 2009 at 8:09pm

My kids are 2 and 5 and tech savy. I set up the laptop next to me and limit their usage using a kitchen timer.

I don't see it as a violation of privacy for older kids - there are many free kids browsers which you can install to prevent them from getting into porm and other adult sites.

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