How to Monitor Internet Use and Email

Monitoring email and online activity is something that both employers and parents are doing more and more. Parents may need to track the activity of their children as a way to keep them safe on the internet. As technology changes so do the routes of contact for internet predators which includes text messaging kids, engaging them in chat rooms, social networking sites, and more. Computer use and internet monitoring is not only helpful for parents, but many employees are beginning to use these programs on their computers at work to pick up any activity or inactivity of their employees.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• computer
• internet
• computer monitoring program

1. Before taking the action to monitor internet use and the email of your kids you need to think about the invasion of their privacy. This will differ from person to person as well as with the parent child relationship. Decide what level of privacy works for your family before deciding on which monitoring program you want to use.

2. Decide whether or not you want to pay for a program that monitors online activity. The free route is a good option depending on your needs. One program that monitors online activity is McGruff SafeGuard. The McGruff SafeGuard program allows parents to monitor their kids activity and receive an alert text message when predetermined words pop up.
   
   There are several other programs that you can use for online monitoring. One program that has been voted by PC Magazine for being such a complete monitoring system is SpectorPro. This program is built for Mac and Windows and copies internet activity, keystrokes, search history, instant messaging, the transfer of files, and much more. It also sends a notification when certain activities are done. With this program you have the ability to monitor everything someone does online. There is a also a program through SpectorPro for employers. Net Nanny is another program that allows you to block words and get an activity log.
   
   These are only just a few of the programs available. Look around to find more online monitoring programs to compare.

3. Figure out which online monitoring program is the best for you depending on your needs and budget. If you can't afford one of the pay programs then it can be helpful to try the free one first to even see if you like it. There's always time for an upgrade.
   
   If you're an employer trying to make sure that the work done on your dime is actually work then look for the employer online monitoring programs. Some of them offer discounts to businesses and the software that comes for a business is made to be put on several computers.

4. Talk with your children about the fact that you'll be putting a monitoring system on the computer. It's important to talk to them and come to an understanding about the importance of safety versus privacy. It's also possible to bargain with your kids about their use of the computers and full internet access...it depends on your household. Keep in mind that predators are very up to date with the latest technology.

Tips & Warnings

• The McGruff SafeGuard program allows you to report child predators through their system.
• Keep trying programs until you find one that works for you. Don't give up if you purchase a monitoring program and it doesn't install correctly or you don't like the way it works. Look for return policies.

Resources

• How to Monitor Text Messages
• How to Hide your IP Address
• Record Everything by Kids or Employees

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on 7/3/2009 Good info. Just telling your kids about the monitoring may be as effective as the monitoring itself.