[tru006]

What are some good software to monitor( what they are doing) what websites your kids are on?

[LincolnSpector]

tru006, on 26 April 2011 - 06:16 AM, said:

What are some good software to monitor( what they are doing) what websites your kids are on?

More important than the software is the approach you take. You don't want to secretly spy on your child. If you do that I discover that they're doing something they shouldn't, what can you do? Try to discuss it with them and you're the bad guy--you've been spying on them behind their back.

It's better to discuss the issues with them, let them know that their surfing will be monitored, but that you expect them to make wise choices. That way, they internalize your values...after much griping and complaining, of course.

Another important issue: Objectionable content is only part of the problem. Another part is spending too much time on the computer. Look for something that monitors that, as well.


I like OnlineFamily.Norton. It encourages a dialog between parent and child.

Lincoln

[coastie65]

Hi Yru, Maybe you'll find this useful: http://monitoring-so...tenreviews.com/

[SpiritWind]

Hi Tru :

I have never heard of any of the programs mentioned
in Coastie's "Monitoring" Site ; it MAY be an
"advertising" site !? I think you MAY be looking
for what is usually called "Parental Control"
software, like the FREE "K9 Web Protection" or
"Safe Eyes" or "Net Nanny" !?

[Szczecinianin]

The other day a Polish computer mag site wrote about a pendrivelike USB device for this. As I read it SOME time ago, I can't remember the name. A child is not aware of control, unless you plug the thing in and see what junior is doing. And if you trust your kid(s) is another matter. In Poland they also encourage talks, trust, care etc. And Germans, in turn, say that trust is good but control is better. So it's up to you.

[gundark]

I've used the Norton Online Family Safety in the past - and it was okay - but I switched to the Windoes Live Family Safety. At the time I used it, the Norton product installed a toolbar. Something I didn't want.

I use a "white list" approach to filtering. Everything is blocked unless I specifically allow it. When the kids try to access a new site, they are presented with the option of either having me provide the password, or they can send a request through email.

[LincolnSpector]

gundark, on 16 May 2011 - 09:19 AM, said:

I've used the Norton Online Family Safety in the past - and it was okay - but I switched to the Windoes Live Family Safety. At the time I used it, the Norton product installed a toolbar. Something I didn't want.

I use a "white list" approach to filtering. Everything is blocked unless I specifically allow it. When the kids try to access a new site, they are presented with the option of either having me provide the password, or they can send a request through email.

I've never used whitelisting. Always seemed too restrictive to me. Maybe I'm a bit of a permissive parent (although my kids never thought so).

How old are your kids? In my family, kids don't get their own computers until they're 13 (Bar/Bat Mitzvah presents) and can manage some self-control.

btw, I love the description of your rig. Nothing like a Quad-quad SLI PNY nVidia Quadro FX 95000 (256 TB each) to bring out the beauty of an amber CRT.

Lincoln

[LiveBrianD]

LincolnSpector, on 17 May 2011 - 07:26 AM, said:

gundark, on 16 May 2011 - 09:19 AM, said:

I've used the Norton Online Family Safety in the past - and it was okay - but I switched to the Windoes Live Family Safety. At the time I used it, the Norton product installed a toolbar. Something I didn't want.

I use a "white list" approach to filtering. Everything is blocked unless I specifically allow it. When the kids try to access a new site, they are presented with the option of either having me provide the password, or they can send a request through email.

I've never used whitelisting. Always seemed too restrictive to me. Maybe I'm a bit of a permissive parent (although my kids never thought so).

How old are your kids? In my family, kids don't get their own computers until they're 13 (Bar/Bat Mitzvah presents) and can manage some self-control.

btw, I love the description of your rig. Nothing like a Quad-quad SLI PNY nVidia Quadro FX 95000 (256 TB each) to bring out the beauty of an amber CRT.

Lincoln

OK you must be joking there.... LOL Can the CRT do 2560x1600 resolution? That should be enough to play your games.

[ninthchamber]

i use k9webprotection. very easy to install and setup

[LincolnSpector]

LiveBrianD, on 18 May 2011 - 06:30 PM, said:

OK you must be joking there.... LOL Can the CRT do 2560x1600 resolution? That should be enough to play your games.

I also assume that Gundark was joking when he entered that.

Lincoln

[mjd420nova]

LincolnSpector, on 20 May 2011 - 09:20 AM, said:

LiveBrianD, on 18 May 2011 - 06:30 PM, said:

OK you must be joking there.... LOL Can the CRT do 2560x1600 resolution? That should be enough to play your games.

I also assume that Gundark was joking when he entered that.

Lincoln

That came out of the blue.

[LincolnSpector]

mjd420nova, on 20 May 2011 - 02:13 PM, said:

That came out of the blue.

Go to message 6 in this discussion. At the bottom of the message, as part of his signature, gundark describes his "rig," his computer. Read that description and you'll understand what we're talking about--which is really just appreciating a joke.


Lincoln

[mjd420nova]

Back a couple decades ago, when my children were just getting into using the computer, I used RED HAND that kept track of all the sites the individual users went to, chat rooms and even the actual info typed in. It was invisible and was easy to uninstall when I felt that it was no longer needed.

[LiveBrianD]

See this: http://forums.pcworl...idiculous-rigs/

[gundark]

LincolnSpector, on 17 May 2011 - 07:26 AM, said:

I've never used whitelisting. Always seemed too restrictive to me. Maybe I'm a bit of a permissive parent (although my kids never thought so).

How old are your kids? In my family, kids don't get their own computers until they're 13 (Bar/Bat Mitzvah presents) and can manage some self-control.

btw, I love the description of your rig. Nothing like a Quad-quad SLI PNY nVidia Quadro FX 95000 (256 TB each) to bring out the beauty of an amber CRT.

Lincoln

My kids are 8 and 10 years old. They didn't really get their own computer, they just inherited my old one. IMO, they are far too young to surf the web freely, yet they do use the web for school work and some entertainment. We also use all three PCs in the house for the occasional network game of Extreme Paintbrawl, where the "old man" schools them. I'll enjoy while I can.

Glad you enjoyed the rig description. My main PC changes components frequently, so I figured if I really aim high in my description, I'll not have to update it for a while. I could use a new monitor, though...