| Homepage | Web Directory | Article Directory | Bid Directory |
Articles. News. Information. | |
Category of Information, News & Articles |
|
|
|
Mom, Dad and the Big Brother
Software for parental control is a useful tool, if applied right. Millions of parents in the USA alone do check their kids' online behavior. In November 2004 a telephone survey made by the Pew Internet and American Life Project showed that: 54% of families with computers connected to the Internet either used filtering technologies to block potentially harmful content or have some kind of monitoring software installed. Nearly three-quarters of the teens surveyed said that their home computer is located in a place like living room, 64 percent of parents said they set rules about their children's time online. One can find anything in the Internet, and a certain share of its content isn't suitable for kids or even teenagers. Filtering Web content becomes common in American families, and nobody argues that it is reasonable. Restricting the time teenagers spend in front of the screen is a good idea, too--we care for our kids' health. But should everybody who has a teenage son or a daughter apply software for monitoring his or her computer activity? Not just checking the browsing history, but monitoring every keystroke your kid makes? Do we have to do it? Please think a bit. My opinion is that monitoring software is "strong medicine". Like any medicine, it has its own side effects which can be worse than the disease. Any medicine, if overused, can do harm. I am well aware about threats children can face in cyberspace. We all are. You sure know about these dangers, too. Predators lure kids away from home to rape and kill. Suspicious "friends" your kid meets online --who knows who they are and what they might teach your son or daughter? What is he or she chatting about--and with whom? All this never leaves minds of overworked, ever-busy parents. But all the same--monitoring software isn't a panacea, though advertising sometimes tries to prove the opposite. If you are going to install a program that logs everything done on a computer, answer this question: What exactly do you want to achieve? Make your kid obey the rules or to catch him/her red-handed? Most likely, first. Have you exhausted all other means? If yes, try to answer the next question: If you are prohibiting something, does your teenager know why? Remember what most people usually say to a toddler if he plays with a knife. They try to EXPLAIN -- even to such a small kid -- WHY NOT. Are you sure your much-older-and-smarter teenager knows WHY he or she shouldn't reveal phone numbers, address, and other personal information? As for not visiting sleazy sites, your teenager is much more likely to obey rules if you say you care not only for him/her (but of course you do), but also for the computer. So, now you are not lecturing your almost-grown-up kid, you are reminding about information security. Viruses, worms, Trojan Horses--teenagers know these words, and they do know where they are most likely to pick this crap. If your kid doesn't know it (though it's unlikely), EXPLAIN. If you don't know it, LEARN about it and explain. Where to learn? In lots of places. For example, here are good sources of information. What's more, they are interesting and in plain English: http://www.msn.staysafeonline.com/ http://www.staysafeonline.info/home-tips.html http://www.getnetwise.org/ Look at these as well. Tastes differ, but your teenager might find them interesting: http://www.msn.staysafeonline.com/default2.htm http://www.safekids.com/ A simple search will bring you much more information. It will be very useful for you as well. If you think you should apply monitoring software anyway, consider this: Think at first what if tour son or daughter finds out that you have been logging every keystroke? Be prepared to face it. Computer monitoring is the last resort. It means the situation is out of control. Is it really? Aexandra Gamanenko currently works at Raytown Corporation, LLC --an independent monitoring and anti-monitoring software developing company that provides various solutions for information security. Learn more about these products -- visit the company's website http://www.softsecurity.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Parenting - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
10 Universal Laws for Parents of Teens 1 "Law of Belonging": The greatest need of teenagers (after music and the phone) is a strong sense of belonging. They need to feel they are a part of something bigger than themselves. Uses for Dirty Diapers As the father of a toddler, I am an expert on dirty diapers. I know exactly what to do with them: throw them out!But along comes a New York waste company and a town in California who want me to do something else with my dirty diapers. Unique Baby Names What's in a name? Er?well, everything, really! Of course your little bundle of joy is the sweetest, most beautiful thing you have ever seen and you want to choose a name that reflects his/her individuality, spirituality, uniqueness and all-round special-ness.But wait a minute!Remember that the unique baby name you choose will help define junior's life - how they are viewed and accepted - for many, many years. 8 Tips To Save On Child Care Costs Child care costs are are one of the most expensive costs associated with going back to work. Finding ways to cut down on child care costs without sacrificing quality child care is a top priority for all working parents. How to Teach Anger Management to Your Child Most of us recognize the continuing escalation of violence around us, due to intolerance, and many of us blame it on somebody else. Parents teach their children, all the time, and when one of us displays "road rage," while our child is in the car, we teach a brand new skill set. The ABCs of Raising Twins As a mother of two sets of fraternal boy/girl twins, I am often asked, "How do you do it?" I do not have an answer. I am just a regular 27 year old who has never known it any other way. How Can I Teach My Child Respect? A common theme over the past 20 years has been how much children have changed from when we were growing up in terms of how they show respect. I know that for the most part in the 1960's, anyone in a position of authority commanded respect which included parents, teachers, police officers, principals, bosses, coaches and anyone else we viewed in some way as a person in authority. Parenting Skills - Five Ways To Turbo-Boost Your Confidence The 'phone conversation had nothing at all to do with parenting - but it made me think . . Couch Potatoes Beware! It's no surprise that the self-image and self-esteem of overweight children are generally quite poor. And this is only exacerbated by the teasing and ridicule of their peers - a situation that, in these post-Columbine days, can result in much more than hurt feelings. Top Ten Things Parents Must Know About State Academic Standards (What Your Child s/b Learning) Public education in the United States has never been equal for all students. It appears that those school districts located in wealthy communities have a bit more resources than those in poorer communities. How Often Does Child Sexual Abuse Get Reported? Not nearly as often as it should. Most child abuse victims never report the crime or get help in coming to grips with this life-changing trauma. Swing Sets and Outdoor Play Equipment- 5 Essential Tips Before You Buy For first time parents choosing a swing set or outdoor play equipment can be a daunting task. There are so many different materials to choose from and prices can vary from around a hundred dollars up to a couple of thousand for a larger solid timber unit. The Child Chef If you really want to get your children to eat better, and have a better understanding of healthy foods, let them help in the picking and cooking of those foods. When you go shopping, let your children pick out a fruit or vegetable to cook that week. Personal Responsibility: What It Means and Whose Job is It? "How many times do I have to tell you to clean your room?" Why should a child keep his room neat? Many children say they don't care whether it is neat or dirty, so why should it matter to anyone else? Unless it is a health or safety hazard, or things are getting lost and broken? Then comes the age old question, "What is neat?" The answer certainly differs with a ten year old child and a thirty five year old Mom. Who is setting the standard of how clean a room must be to be acceptable. Be Serious With Your Child Future As a parent your biggest responsibility is to prepare your child for the future , physically emotionally and mentally.The first big Intellectual Challenge your child will face is the Entrance Test for KG and later for the First Standard . Parents Dealing with Worry and Fear Dear Vijay,I worry about not being a good parent. My daughter Tracy is six and my son Michael is four. Avoid Weight Problems In Children Although, not a well publicized statistic, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past two decades-15% of American children are obese according to the U.S. What Is Homeschooling And How Do I know If Its Right For My Family? Do you know what these famous people have in common?Alexander Graham BellGeorge PattonAlbert EinsteinBenjamin FranklinWinston ChurchillAgatha ChristieGeorge Bernard ShawWill RogersIf you guessed that they were all homeschoolers, you'd be correct. This is a very short list of famous and successful people who were educated at home. Raising Teenagers? Stay C.A.L.M. Parents of teenagers frequently ask what can be done to improve their relationship with their kids. This can be a challenging time, and a time when parents sometimes feel rejected, out of touch, and unclear about what to do. Parenting Your Teenager: 3 More Dangerous Myths MYTH: If you have not parented as well as you would have liked up until now, it's too late to try anything different.REALITY: This is one of those seductive little lies that sounds so close to the truth.
|
| Home | Sitemap | |
| © 2006 eInfoJunction.com | Homepage | Web Directory | Article Directory| Bid Directory |
