What rights do I have as a parent....

United States
October 30, 2008 5:19pm CST
when it comes to finding out what my child is doing online? I have two sons, 10 and 15 and I have become increasingly concerned with the quality of internet useage especially with my oldest child. My question is this...what sort of rights do I have when it comes to finding out and acting upon my child's internet usage? And what about the software offered that supposedly "tracks" your child's usage. Are these software programs worth the cost or are they as simple to remove (by the child) as they are to download for the parent? I'd be interested in hearing what other parents have (and plan to continue doing) in regards to their child's internet usage.
2 responses
@lisa0502 (1724)
• Canada
30 Oct 08
I understand your concerns. We have alot of kids and have been through this. There are good programs out there to track your kids, and guess what you can install them and the kids would never know. Look for programs that run in stealth mode. I have used and will continue to use a program called chat checker. All you have to do is do a little checking around to find the best program for you. Good Luck.
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Oct 08
I didn't realize they run in "stealth mode",....how cool is that! I know it sounds like I'm a horrid mother but the internet is filled with crazy people and I don't want my son exposed to some of the garbage that is out there. I'll check out chat checker this week too. Thanks for your advice! I appreciate it so much!
@lisa0502 (1724)
• Canada
1 Nov 08
You are certainly not a horrid mother. I learned about these programs because of my husband. He is a computer whiz. We all just want to keep our kids safe. Good luck with those programs.
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
3 Nov 08
what rights do you have??? Your the parent and adult, you have every right in the world AND obligation IMO to do whats needed..I have a 13 yr old and a 15 yr old and they have their own computer wiht internet access and we've had a keylogger on their system since they got it...They know its on there too and were told tht if they didnt like it they didnt have to go online or on the computer at all for that matter..Bottomline is its MY JOB AND RESPONSIBLITY as their mother to montior them, keep them safe and know what the bloody hell they are up to..End of story as far as i;m concerned.. A Keylogger program CANNONT be uninstalled by the child as far as I know and its a hidden file..also you can find many that are free to install right from the internet...AND if you make sure they DO NOT have administrative accounts on the computer they can't install or uninstall ANYTIHNG on the unit....make sure YOU AND ONLY YOU have an admin account wiht a password....
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Nov 08
thanks Ravenladyj. I appreciate your comment. Sometimes I feel as though kids have more control of their lives than they should have. We just moved to a much smaller rural town and it's been great in that the "big city" influences have been pushed far outside my son's life. BUT that said, he still thinks that as a teen he can take total control over all aspects of his life. I don't agree with this and am determined to watch him like a hawk until he is out on his own. The world is far too frightening these days and if I can keep him from heartache later by watching him now then so be it.