Children and the internet...
@countrysun2sea (161)
United States
June 26, 2009 4:59pm CST
At what age did you/ or do you plan to allow your children to be unsuprvised on the internet? I have an almost 17 yr old step-son who has a computer in his room. I do keep a very close eye on what websites he visits-he does not know I know every move he makes online. (I have signed up for a website that emails me every 24 hrs with the websites he visits)....and I also check his temp. internet files when he isnt home. So far--has hasnt had any problems. He has been very responsible in the last 6 months since we allowed him to move his computer to his room. I guess we gotta let go at some point.....so what about the kids in your house?
2 people like this
9 responses
@freedomg (1684)
• United States
27 Jun 09
OK My oldest is 16 and my youngest(that uses the computer) is 9 there is a program on that computer that screens everything they type, all of the websites they go to, and any emails containing "danger words" that I chose.
IT is not because I think they are up to no good it is because I don't trust the rest of the world. For this I will remain forever vigilant or at least as long as they are under 18 and living at home. I have to admit too that it came in very handy when some one broke the "no download" rule and we ended up with a trojan. the program had already sent the info to my computer before it crashed so I knew what site it came from and when it was downloaded which meant I knew which kid broke the rule
, and I was able to set up a block on that site so they couldn't do it again. ![](/Content/images/emotes/w00t.gif)
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1 person likes this
@countrysun2sea (161)
• United States
27 Jun 09
You're doing the right thing keeping your children safe!
1 person likes this
@sennawork (88)
• United States
27 Jun 09
It really is tough. I am a young adult myself, and seeing the things I see online I would never let my kids online without supervision. At the same time, I would be embarrassed and somewhat ashamed to be monitoring my children because that tells the child that you dont trust THEM. You mentioned that its the web you dont trust, but it still shows the child that you cant trust him/her because you are monitoring their behavior. Its a hard position to be put in, but I guess its not fair to be monitoring him with out his knowledge. I think you should be truthful with him just as you would want him to be truthful with you. I am afraid if he finds out that you were monitoring him he might to something to rebel. I think he learned his lesson after talking to that 26 year old two years ago, and you should be a bit more lenient. I know its tough because the internet is a very scary place but if your son is smart about his decisions and he has shown that he is making the right decisions you should show him that you trust him.
Good luck and I wish you the best
@maikarumike (458)
• Malaysia
27 Jun 09
I think we must keep a close eye to our children and supervise them well when they are eon the internet.Indeed the internet is a rich source place for information and many more but it is also a place of harm and dangers nowadays.Anyway, there is a good program now that can help to limit the sites and dangerous sites on the net to be surfed, the family home safety is one of the best program now that could protect our children from being harmed on the internet.
1 person likes this
@lynnemg (4529)
• United States
26 Jun 09
My kids are all still pretty young and I don't even allow them to mess with my computer. I think that I will allow it when they are a bit older and have shown me that they will act responsibly. Even then, I will monitor what they do until they are out of the house.
1 person likes this
@nitu1952 (286)
• India
27 Jun 09
if we look at the todays world , an estimated 10 million children are using the internet . The kids.net study showed that children find the internet easy to use , and like to use it for fun , games,chatting, e-mails,etc NOW childrens study books which are also available on internet.as it plays a great role in childrens life.
@kabudel (175)
• Philippines
26 Jun 09
Well, eversince my kid learned how to use the computer and the internet, I've let him do his own surfing, reading and playing. In cases of negative stuff/adult crap posted online, I always remind him of the possible dangers that he can get from it. Also, when pop-ups or download reminders show up, I taught him to always X out of them. I just make sure I explain the pros and cons.
So far, he's never infected our network nor downloaded anything super harmful. =) Just trust your kids and educate them, sure enough, they'll be fine
*winks*
@EliteUser (3964)
• Australia
4 Oct 09
Hey,
Well I would say that once they reach about 17-18, that is the time when you should let go. I mean, I think that they are responsible enough for what they actually go on. So I would say that once they reach a good 18 years old, that is the time where you can stop. Make sure you have a good day, God bless and Happy Lotting!!![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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@CJscott (4187)
• Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
27 Jun 09
Once I believe my Son understands the risks and consequences of what can happen Online. If he is 8 or 18, or whatever does not matter. Age is how many years you have been here, wisdom is what you learn in those years, it comes sooner for some then it does for others. And since you already have proven that you don't trust him to make the right decisions chances are he won't go astray so long as he still lives in your house. Cheers.
@countrysun2sea (161)
• United States
27 Jun 09
Its not that I dont trust HIM. Its the internet prowlers I dont trust. I havent "proven" I dont trust him, I think youre taking it the wrong way. How would you feel if you found out your 14 yr old was being talked to online by a 26 yr old??? Apparenlty this womnan didnt care that he was 14 and some of the things she said were very damaging to a 14 yr old. SHE WANTED TO MEET UP WITH HIM AT A HOTEL--LUCKILY HE WAS SMART ENOUGH TO SAY NO TO HER...do you have any idea what could have happened to him had he gone to meet this woman???? He doesnt know I know where he visits online--so he has every opportunity in the world to do something wrong--but so far he hasnt--and for that I am glad.
1 person likes this
@CJscott (4187)
• Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
27 Jun 09
Okay, so she is 26 and he was 14, some things were said that were damaging... I can understand your worries about prowlers, but at 14 already, he is wise enough to recognize the dangers of strangers on the internet...and still, you watch him. To me, and this is just a personal opinion that shows, he can be trusted and yet you do not. Do not say I take it the wrong way, the way I perceive it is different that does not make it "wrong". Cheers.
@bird123 (10641)
• United States
3 Jul 09
17 years old. Hmmm? one more year to be an adult. I have always said that you can't shelter your children from the evils of the world. Teach them how to deal with the evils of the world. A couple years and step-son could be a soldier fighting in a war somewhere.You see, it's probably time to start treating them like an adult which means giving privacy. If your job raising them was done well, there is no problem. If not, keep teaching, but allow them to stumble for that teaches as well.
@countrysun2sea (161)
• United States
3 Jul 09
He isnt 17 YET. Close to it though. He does have privacy. His computer is in his room and he is on it with the door shut most of the time. I dont ask him what he is doing. I do keep tabs of what websites he visits. Some I dont approve of but dont say anything because they could be much worse. He is doing normal teenage boy stuff. Yes, he'll be an adult soon but while he is living under MY roof and is UNDER age...he is still MY responsibility. He is anything but sheltered...believe me he gets his nose where it doesnt belong often enough.....I am protecting him. Thats it.
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