How Can I Check How Long My Child Was on Facebook?

It's easy for anyone, especially kids, to get wrapped up in a Facebook session.

If you suspect your child is spending too much time on Facebook, you may not be alone.As of 2010, the average child spends over seven hours per day with electronic devices, including computers and cell phones, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Although the Internet can be helpful for research and other educational purposes, Facebook is an easy, time-sucking distraction. A browser extension called Facebook Runner can help you monitor your child's Facebook use.

Instructions

1. Install the Facebook Runner browser extension for your browser. Facebook Runner is available for Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera and Safari. You can find it by visiting Facebook Runner's homepage or by searching for Facebook Runner in your browser's extensions directory. You may need to restart the browser after installation to activate the extension.

2. Open your browser's Extensions menu and check the settings for Facebook Runner. You can set how often to reset the Facebook timer and choose whether you want to show the timer running while Facebook is being visited; if you don't want your child to know you're timing him, you may want to disable this feature.

3. Use the "Details" tab in the Facebook Runner settings panel to check the amount of time spent on Facebook. Keep in mind that this extension tracks total time spent on Facebook by all users, so if you use Facebook as well, consider using it in another browser to separate your time log from your child's.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to limit the amount of time or the times of day your child can spend on Facebook, try the LeechBlock extension for Firefox or the Chrome Nanny extension for Google Chrome.

References

• Biltek.info: Facebook Runner
• "The New York Times"; If Your Kids Are Awake, They're Probably Online; Tamar Lewin; Jan. 20, 2010

Resources

• Google: Chrome Nanny
• Mozilla: LeechBlock