Do you think children should be monitored when using the internet?
By Chrissy
@Java09 (3075)
United States
February 2, 2010 9:49am CST
I have a daughter ,I allow her to use the internet,but I like to watch her.I like to make sure she don't chat with people,for I know there's child predators online,that look for children.I set limits for her to be on the safe side.She knows what she can and can't do.What do you think,should parents monitor their children's internet usage?
2 people like this
31 responses
@thedailyclick (3017)
•
2 Feb 10
Well I think it depends partly on there age as under a certain age they should be monitored. After a certain age they should be given a bit more freedom but I would still say that a certain amount of monitoring still needs to be taking place, either the occassional watching over their shoulder or checking their internet history.
The things is whilst it does encroach on their privacy the intentions are for a good purpose of protecting them, which no doubt they won't like and say they don't need protecting. But you are also protecting yourself because if a child is doing something illegal, such as downloading illegal material you as the home owner are the one who will be held responsible and taken to court if legal action is taken.
I like the fact that you set limits and your child knows what is allowed. The education of a child on how to use the interent in a safe and proper manner is more important than ever with all the social networking sites which allow faceless people to lead an alternate online life.
1 person likes this
@Mizzou (2)
• United States
2 Feb 10
My opinion won't be popular with kids, but I would never allow kids, even teenagers to have a computer in their room where it can not be monitored. Having had my own experiences in chat rooms several years ago, I know how easy it is to be drawn in by strangers who seem so nice and normal. I'm the kind of person who is open and honest about myself. I don't believe in having a fake personna and I trusted (foolishly) that others did the same. I met a few people who were not only liars, they were evil. One in particular was dangerous, but he had me fooled and I don't fool that easily. Once I found out about the real person, I cut all ties. Because of this, I feel very strongly about letting kids have access to computers in places that can't be seen by parents. No matter how many times you tell them about strangers, kids are still kids and as they get older, they generally feel their parents are old and out of touch. Keep the computer in a public place so that they know you can see it if you choose. Of course, they can still find ways around this, but why make it easy for them? There are far too many horror stories about kids and the internet and if you just turn them loose with a computer and no monitoring, it's like turning them loose in a dark room full of strangers.
1 person likes this
@mandybeau (279)
• New Zealand
3 Feb 10
paedophiles love the Net, they play at being a nice lady or a cute boy, they use the Net to not only chat, but sadly to meet and arrange liasons with gullible kids. Set you PC so that all those type of chat sites are totally blocked. The kids can chat when they are savvy enough to get a gut feeling exactly who is real and ho is not.
By the way if you come accross a paedophile on the Net make the Site aware and then put the details to something like twitter or email.
They exist where they can, make their conditions as less friendly as possible.
1 person likes this
@Java09 (3075)
• United States
3 Feb 10
you are right,I do know they use the internet to find more victims for themselves.There are detectives that go online to catch thyem,they pretend they're a child and they do catch alot of them.They locate where they are and arrest them.But unfortunately there are always more of them,I'm sure they can't catch every one of them.
@mandybeau (279)
• New Zealand
4 Feb 10
Remember these Low life forms, actually operate in Groups situations, or Networks, bring down on me, and you successfully bring down the lot.
Paedophiles are scared weak little men and I guess sometimes, less often Woman, they pick on the Vulnerable. I think that Schools MUST get more in behind teaching Kids "Internet Stranger Danger", as It is a problem that is increasing.
The most valuable Tool against these Predators is a watchful eye at all times.
Never let the Kids use a Webcam, or a PC with an inbuilt webcam. This at least minimises the Culprits ability to know what his Victim looks like, in the case of one of the wankers waiting at a School or something like that.
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
3 Feb 10
I think to a certain extent, they should. Children need some privacy of their own, but they also need to be safe.
1 person likes this
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
2 Feb 10
Yes, it's real that we should monitor our children when they start to get to know how to surf the internet. Whenever my niece come over to my house for a visit, she really likes to surf internet, to chat with her friend. I always remind her that she can only chat with her own classmates but never to chat with any strangers, who ever online and tried to chat with her. I think it's a wise decision since the virtual world can turned into a very dangerous place for youngsters to explore. Although sometimes, you may get a disagreement from your children, but it's still a wise decision which we should make, to protect our youngsters from being harm by unwanted strangers.
1 person likes this
@ANIME123 (2466)
• United States
3 Feb 10
Well maybe not monitored to much because then they might get angry and start to rebel a bit. They will feel like their not getting enough space and will do other things to rebel against this. I remember how my mom use to monitor me all the time it was not fun and I actually did rebel my friend did too because she didn'tike to be monitored all the time. Maybe it really depends on the age like maybe like 11 years and under should be monitored. I do agree that they have to be protected from child molesters and all the dangers of the internet.
1 person likes this
@Java09 (3075)
• United States
3 Feb 10
You're right,this is the stuff I'm talking about.I do know child predators they will use the internet to find more victims,because they're just sick in the head.Also there are sites that are no good for a child to be looking at.With my daughter Ifound some good sites for her to use,she like them,so I approve.I like to see the site before I ok it.Thanks
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
3 Feb 10
Absolutely!! I still monitor my 16 year old son. I do not trust the things that are available on the internet and want to make sure he is not going places that he should not.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
2 Feb 10
I do think children should be supervised when they are on the internet and you can't trust filtering software entirely. I watched my sons and although that was when the internet was rather new, there were predators even then. I remember looking over to see my son chatting with someone and it was a person asking how old he was and if he liked to feel good. Thank God I was there, he didn't know what to make of it. You have to be in the same room with your child and pay attention!
1 person likes this
@Java09 (3075)
• United States
3 Feb 10
Yeah,I don't allow my daughter to chat.I watched something on tv,where they had detectives online looking for these child predators,they caught alot of them.They pretended they were a child and then pretended they wanted to meet them and in went the police.It's good they do that.
@gracie04 (4549)
• Philippines
3 Feb 10
Yes, I think children should be carefully monitored when using the Internet. You know, using the internet has advantages and disadvantages and i am pretty sure adults know about that. but how about the kids? they aren't aware of the harm it may cause them. take chatting as an example. there are different types of chatters and some of them are real bad people. they use the internet as a medium to get s**ual partners.. we can't depend on the software alone that proclaims to protect the security of users.. guide and monitor your children carefully.. tell them the pros and cons of using the internet..
@23uday (2997)
• India
3 Feb 10
hi java09
yes i think children should be monitored.there have been quite many incidents where children where trapped and were molested.
Even the young people should be greatful while using the intenet and chatting with the strangers and one shouldnot reveal any personal info.
and they should be monitore regarding the things and sites they open.
happy mylotting
@incredibleDNA (1742)
• Philippines
2 Feb 10
If they do the children will never learn how to deal with mistakes when they leave their parents' house. People need to learn by making mistakes but parents can help prevent very stupid ones. If a parent can't trust the child it can build resentment/strained relationship or utter dependence to a point where the child can never make a decision without mommy or daddy
1 person likes this
@Ladyslipper (1327)
• Philippines
2 Feb 10
I would also say that we should closely monitor our child's activity in the internet. It is not because we don't trust them but because we don't trust other people who might take advantage of them. Aside from that they still need to be guided on what is right and wrong.
1 person likes this
@sonaimajumdar (950)
• India
2 Feb 10
yes ,we should monitor children,while they are using the net .....because in this vast world of internet, everything are not safe for children....everytime they should be watched that what activities they are doing online and which kind of sites they are opening .....
1 person likes this
@enyniya (299)
• Bulgaria
3 Feb 10
You sound like a very wise and protective mother but how can you be so sure that your daughter follows your rules? As a matter of fact, most young children are drawn by the forbidden and often hide what they are doing online. My mother has constant supervision on me and I admit that it is a bit annoying. But, however, I am thankful that she understands and supports my online interests but always shares her thoughts and forces me to do the right thing.
1 person likes this
@verabear (796)
• Philippines
3 Feb 10
Yes, though I think it depends on their age of course :) There's this kid browser called Kidzui and aside from being a dedicated browser for kids, on their site you can also receive reports on sites that your child has visited. You can also set permissions on what sites they can visit. Of course this only works for very young children who don't know yet how to use IE or other browsers. :)
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@JAG2009 (266)
• India
3 Feb 10
Of course children should be monitored. I believe that monitoring their usage of the internet is part of a parent's responsibilities. Just like you wouldn't allow a child to play with fire or cross the road alone, in the same way, a child neeeds to be guided and taught how to use the Internet safely. I suppose the extent of the parent's involvement and monitoring will depend on the age of the child.
But, it is undoubtedly something parents must do. I know I would.
1 person likes this
@MrKennedy (1978)
•
3 Feb 10
I think that supervising children when they are using the internet is the right thing to do. It's not that you don't trust your child, or are being over-protective, it's just that the internet is a very dangerous place for youngsters, especially with the threat of child predators and chat-rooms. Plus, you can be sure that your child isn't looking at anything you would not approve of
1 person likes this
@shalome (178)
• India
3 Feb 10
java09,
I appreciate your daughter's activities that you have mentioned
about her, she knows what she can and can't do, in this regard
you got the full of confidence about your loving daughter, than
why you worrying, if you got any doubt arises in your mind
then you can approach her in friendly manner, but keep always
confident about your daughter, once in blue moon you keep monitored
for your satisfaction that is good.
@arlene51621 (211)
• Philippines
3 Feb 10
hello there,
ofcourse yes, many sites on the internet are not suitable for young ages... parents need to be attentive to their children need to watch them...
@yasmeen16 (80)
• Mauritius
3 Feb 10
Yes of course. my son used to visit pron site in my back, I have found after my computer have been repair from a crash. Now I know the reason why act weirdly during the past few months
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