Spying On Your Kids - Good Or Bad?

[sarahlink38]

It is always hard to determine how much privacy you should give your children when it comes to the Internet. Some would say that spying develops trust issues between children and parents. On the other hand, by being honest with your child and communicating with them about online risks and safety, you can help build a trust between you and your child.

[sarahlink38]

Children's curiosity, when peaked, can turn them into mini super sleuths. If they want to find something out, they will do whatever it takes to get it, whether that means going to another computer at a friends house, or getting the help of a friend to help bypass whatever settings you have on your computer. I saw some ads about this websites like SafetyWeb, SocialShield, and SafeSocial that help parents monitor their children’s internet activity and can also monitor cell phone activity. I would like to know if anyone have tried it. I would like to know how does it work and if it really reliable.

[Prica]

Personally don't let your kid have a computer in there room if it is unavoidable then make a rule where the door is never shut while they are on the computer, Also set up the computers so that is saves the histories, your computer will save for a while all the sites on the web your kids visit. Also let your kids know that you are never barred from their computers, and they must answer frankly, truthfully and immediately any questions about what they have been doing on the net.That should be the condition of the privalage of still having a computer of their own, or access to the family computer for anything but schoolwork.
It may seem harsh and restricting, but it is for their safety, and though we don't want to admit it, even our kids could be the cyberbully, so either it would make them watch what they say and do on the web, or give you the chance to quickly find out what is going on and act accordingly.

[sarahlink38]

@Prica: Have you had an experience where you discover that your kid/s made a "secret" account just to avoid being monitored by you?


Personally don't let your kid have a computer in there room if it is unavoidable then make a rule where the door is never shut while they are on the computer, Also set up the computers so that is saves the histories, your computer will save for a while all the sites on the web your kids visit. Also let your kids know that you are never barred from their computers, and they must answer frankly, truthfully and immediately any questions about what they have been doing on the net.That should be the condition of the privalage of still having a computer of their own, or access to the family computer for anything but schoolwork.
It may seem harsh and restricting, but it is for their safety, and though we don't want to admit it, even our kids could be the cyberbully, so either it would make them watch what they say and do on the web, or give you the chance to quickly find out what is going on and act accordingly.

[gabe.johnson]

I think this is a tricky subject, especially when it comes to your children and bad influences like sex on the internet. I usually speak with my kids about topics like that before they get exposed to it, that way I control the message. I came across this article that talks about broaching the subject of sex with small children: http://shesgotgroove.com/2011/01/25/birds-and-the-bees/

[Caroline Larson]

I don't consider keeping tabs on your children to be spying. Let's face it, there's a lot of material online you wouldn't want them exposed to. As a parent, I can't sit passively by and hope this stuff doesn't scar them! I check their browsing history, have conversations with them about online threats and I've installed an Internet filter on all of our home computers. This is how I see it: you can't ban the Internet, so you may as well manage it. So many parents are weirdly uninvolved when it comes to this important part of our kids' upbringing...

[Swati88]

according to me you should talk straight to your kids!!