How to See Pictures My Kids Are Viewing on the Computer

Parents can find out what photos their children are viewing on the Internet.

The Internet is a dangerous place filled with predators and content that is inappropriate for children. Some of this content, such as photos, are so prevalent that children can come across them unexpectedly, find them curious and end up looking at negative content for hours. There are ways that a parent can check the photos that their children look at on the Internet and protect them from people that might send them photos with inappropriate content.

Things You'll Need

• computer

Instructions

1. Set up the computer in a heavily-trafficked area and occasionally walk by and see what your children are looking at. Look not only at the screen, but also at the tabs in the web browser. The title of the tab will give you a good idea of what the Web site is.

2. Check the Internet history by clicking on the web browser's file or tool menu and choosing history. This opens up a window showing all the websites the child and anyone else on the computer visited and when they visited, including any web-based pictures. Go to the start menu and open the file folder for the web browser if the child deleted the history. Open the cookies folder, the folder will have lists of websites visited that have cookies.

3. Read their email if you have an open policy regarding computer usage in the home. Many times the child will remain logged in even if not on the computer. Scroll down the emails looking for any attachments or suspicious emails from people you don't know. These attachments may be photos sent to your child.

4. Examine the computer's recent activity folder for any photos recently downloaded, Most web browsers have a folder dedicated to downloaded content such as photos. Review the folder and open any photos you find questionable.

5. Open the start menu and type in ".jpg" and ".gif" to see all the jpeg and gif images on the computer's hard drive. The children may save a photo to a folder you don't know about and this method will ensure the entire computer is searched. There will be many images found. You should go through them to find objectionable content.

References

• Clear Traffic: History
• Daily Mail: Parents' Ignorance of Children's Like 'Letting Them Roam The Streets Unsupervised" Internet Habits
• San Diego County District Attorney: Protecting Children Online
• Pew Internet: How Parents Navigate the Potential Hazard of Being Online