How to Monitor Your Children's Web Activity
Internet predators are a frightening threat that parents face when they set their children up with computer access. You cannot prevent your child from using the Internet because many school activities take place on the computer. Set some boundaries up for your child so she knows about responsible Internet use. Encourage your family to use the Internet together to prepare your child to use it alone.
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Instructions
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Encourage family Internet time. For instance, your family can use the Internet together to find homework help for the little ones and trivia answers for games. Show your children which search engines are appropriate and watch your children while they learn to search the web.
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Prepare a social networking page for your child and let your child know you keep track of the password. Your child should be open to having you check her messages and her wall. While your child might think you are invading her privacy, she should be happy that you are protecting her from predators.
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Check the history on your web browser. The history should show the websites that were visited on the computer for the past few days. Let your partner and child know that no one should click the "clear history" button.
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Set up the computer that your child uses in the family room. The computer should be near where you spend your time when you are home. Your child should realize that his activity is monitored because the computer is in a public area of the house.
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Install an activity-monitoring software. You can try a software such as Spector Pro, which is available at netbus.org. Be prepared to spend around $100 for the software.
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Tips & Warnings
Remind your children not to talk with strangers online.
When your child closes the browser as you walk in the room, sit her down and have a serious discussion about proper Internet usage.
References
- Photo Credit Child playing computer image by Ilya Postnikov from Fotolia.com
