How to Monitor a Child's Computer Usage
Internet usage has become a common practice in most homes. Children can quickly access information to help them with their homework as well as spend time chatting with their friends. Unfortunately, the Internet comes with its dangers. There are sexual predators lurking on the forums your children use. It also isn't that difficult for your child to stumble across inappropriate materials. As a parent, you will need to do your part to monitor your child's computer usage to keep them safe.
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Instructions
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Lay out some Internet rules for your child. You may want to limit the amount of time they can use the computer as well as give them a list of approved websites they can visit. Make sure that you are telling your child why you have these rules so that they understand the danger in not obeying the rules. This is the first step to monitoring their computer usage.
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Keep an eye on what your child is doing. You may want to keep the computer in a family room so that your child always has someone watching their activity. This is an excellent accountability method that works quite well. Then one parent doesn't have to be standing over the child's shoulder the whole time they are on the computer.
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Click "History" on the top of your browser after your child has finished using the computer. Then click "View All History." This will allow you to see every website your child visited when you weren't looking. If you do this each time they use the computer you will be able to catch any inappropriate websites the first time your child uses them. You will then be able to talk to your child before the problem has a chance to escalate.
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Purchase and install a site blocker software on your computer. This will help to ensure that your child doesn't enter a site that has inappropriate material. It blocks the site from even coming up. One such software program is called ChildWebGuardian (see resources).
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Install Web Watcher. This program can be used in addition to the site blocker software. Web Watcher allows parents to access their children's home computer activity from anywhere they have Internet access. That means if a parent has to work late they can still monitor what their child is doing at home on the computer from their work computer.
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Tips & Warnings
Wait until your child has proven that you can trust them before allowing them to have a computer in his bedroom.
Be strict about not allowing your child to give out any personal information online. Instruct them never to give out their address, last name or Social Security number. Predators out there could use this information to harm them.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Joel Bombardier
