I'd be interested in hearing other viewpoints in the debate of using software to help monitor online activity vs kid's right to privacy.
While i feel that to a certain degree a parent should respect the privacy of their children, I also feel that as a parent, one of my primary responsibilities is to protect my children from harm as well as teach them how to protect themselves. I am suprised at times when friends who I know share similar ideas and values relative to raising our children, suddenly let all boundaries and rules go when it comes to their kids' online activity, and rationalize that they simply don't know enough to be able to do it any differently.
I understand how, as such a fast-changing and relatively new phenomenon, it can be overwhelming, especially without having prior experience of how your own parents handled it. It certainly is not easy, and it's not at all foolproof, but I do work to occasionally include online social activity, including texting, into coversations i have with my kids, to be more familiar with their particular interests and their attitudes toward it all. I also feel that the online monitoring software I use is a great tool to help me generally be better aware of my kids online activity, without infringing too much on their privacy, an awareness that better enables me to more knowlegeably initiate or steer related conversations.
I am curious to hear how others approach this challenge in raising a child in today's online world, shoukld anyone care to share their thoughts. Thanks!.
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Maxene
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1
Registered:
12/4/11
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(15 of 15)
Re: online monitoring vs kids privacy
Dec 5, 2011 7:45 PM
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I know a lot of parents out there who have the same concern as yours. Well, as a daughter I know how moms get too paranoid especially when their kids spend too much time on gadgets that involves social media like cellular phones and laptops/computers, and us children would think that your paranoia are invading our privacy. I have been in that situation too, where my mom would read my cell phone and it always gets into my nerve because it always feels like she is invading my privacy, not only that, I also think that she's taking full control over me. Being a teenager back then, I didn't realize that my mom was only concern about me. Maybe having that software that would alert parents cyber bullying or any promiscuous words are good since it will prompt parents about those issues. But always do keep in mind that your child's privacy is as important as your child's safety.
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Claire Green
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3
From:
London
Registered:
12/5/11
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(14 of 15)
Re: online monitoring vs kids privacy
Dec 5, 2011 6:07 PM
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There are no censors on the Internet. Anyone in the world — companies, governments, organizations, and individuals — can publish materials on the Internet. So children face a variety of risks online. Being responsible for children’s online activities, parents should take some measures to reduce any potential risks of being online. Talk to them and set rules to supervise their online activity. When necessary, considering using a software program is a good way to filter or control what your children can see and do online. The internet filter for Mac is a powerful web blocker to block websites that are known to be inappropriate for children. Hope can help you. |
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raven92
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2
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8/31/11
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(13 of 15)
Re: online monitoring vs kids privacy
Aug 31, 2011 10:07 PM
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It is indeed good to always respect kids privacy because all of us needs it. But also their are times that we are also curious on what they do when they are in front of the computer. Also we want to know if it is for their good or it can result to do unnecessary things. Now, here comes online monitoring we can't let children just visit different site that are not usually visit by kids. Online monitoring is the issue on kids privacy. For kids online monitoring is a threat for privacy and freedom. We cant usually force kids to do things that they don't want to do. One way to lessen kids privacy issue on online monitor is talk to them nice and slow explain things why you should do online monitoring for them. In this way kids would understand why parents should keep on monitoring them. Also in our company we use computer monitoring but we don't have any privacy issues for any employee using monitoring software should also be fully aware of what is monitored and when they are being monitored.
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Anne
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507
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6/26/06
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(12 of 15)
Re: online monitoring vs kids privacy
Aug 11, 2011 9:23 PM
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I think it depends so much on the child, Selenna. Yes, kids deserve a little privacy if they've earned their parents' trust. After all, it's their job, developmentally, to grow up, push away, and become adults. But not if they're engaging in risky behavior, especially, and not necessarily if they're posting information, sharing media, and socializing in online spaces open to everybody. If everybody else can see their content and behavior online, why should this be private to their parents?
But there's a happy medium between total privacy from their parents and parents watching their every move, and finding the right balance is up to how wisely and safely the child's functioning online and their family's values and rules. The primary way to monitor our children, online or offline, is to talk with them about how their using the Internet - keeping those all-important lines of communication open. I hope that helps. Thank you for posting,
Anne Collier
ConnectSafely co-director
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Anne Collier
ConnectSafely co-director |
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selenna
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1
Registered:
8/10/11
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(11 of 15)
Re: online monitoring vs kids privacy
Aug 10, 2011 11:44 PM
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ii confused for a long time, whether i should use a monitor spy software to protect my son or i need to respect his privacy totally until one dangerous guard went to my son and teach him some bad behavior online, I decide to install a porn filter to block some harmful website and I think it is useful. |
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jay19871229
Posts:
5
From:
USA
Registered:
8/1/11
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(10 of 15)
Re: online monitoring vs kids privacy
Aug 7, 2011 8:07 PM
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Using parental control software and talk to your child at the same time can double the efficiency of parenting, this is a very good opinion.
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Parentof2
Posts:
2
From:
Houston
Registered:
11/9/10
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(9 of 15)
Re: online monitoring vs kids privacy
Nov 9, 2010 9:44 AM
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This is a great question - from my personal experience violating your childs privacy (reviewing thier email inbox, friends list, web browsing history) makes the child work extra hard to keep you out of the "loop"..out of their online social life..a great tool/service I came across is offered www.socioclean.com - its a self-governed tool that lets you scan your social media content for things that could get your kid in "hot water"..like profanity..ill-advised terminology..etc.
I don't monitor my kids content..but I make sure they have been!
www.socioclean.com
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wannahav3
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1
Registered:
10/29/10
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(8 of 15)
Re: online monitoring vs kids privacy
Nov 2, 2010 10:50 AM
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I have been looking into this very topic extensively due to my family needs. I appreciate everyones input into the discussion and have had a chance to check out some of the suggested websites.
It is important to me to keep the trust I have built with my family however I want to protect them from the dangers of the internet. I keep the computer in the family room but that is not enough since I can't always be looking over their shoulders. I just found this new software at www.saaviaccountability.com which seems to be a good fit for my family. It doesn't block websites from being viewed but it does tell me which sites have been viewed. My family has discussed what is appropriate and not appropriate sites to go on and we agreed to be responsible when on the internet so this software allows the family to be honest. If someone visit an inappropiate site I receive a text message so I can address the problem right away.
The internet can be a sneaky place and I really want to protect my family from viewing anything that can be harmful. I really appreciate everyones input so we can work together!
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Rita09
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5
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5/5/10
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(7 of 15)
Re: online monitoring vs kids privacy
Aug 12, 2010 8:40 AM
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Thanks everyone for the great feedback and sharing your insightful viewpoints. It sounds like Mimmy23 is taking a similar approach as I am, which I have to report several months later here, has been a real positive step for me and my family. Whether its the software she uses, or something such as Family Cyber Alert (you can probably google it if interested) that I use - probably similar products, monitoring has proven to give me a better sense of control regarding an entity (Internet) which is difficult to control..
Ellen - I have not seen the book you referenced, but have put it on my list to look for next time I have some time to browse at a book store (or to check it out online...see, there's the Internet again).
I glanced at the Microsoft tools, but it's a bit confusing to me - not sure if available on my old XP PC. But since I'm content with what I'm using, I didn't put much time or effort into figuring it out.
All that said, I just came back from a great family vacation at the lake, in which we were all offline, and that was wonderful - all together in touch with the physical world around us!
Rita
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Bob Lotter
Posts:
1
From:
New York
Registered:
8/11/10
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(6 of 15)
Re: online monitoring vs kids privacy
Aug 11, 2010 5:46 AM
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LouSmith
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5
From:
Dallas Texas
Registered:
7/27/10
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(5 of 15)
Re: online monitoring vs kids privacy
Jul 27, 2010 10:22 AM
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I believe that children should have complete privacy for safe online activity and ZERO privacy for that which is potentially dangerous or inappropriate.
Until very recently, that was impossible to achieve but new technology has been developed that enables parents to do just that.
The web safety software that I recommend sends a text message alert to the parent's cell phone and a detailed email to their computer whenever a dangerous or inappropriate event happens on either the child's computer or cell phone. It ignores all safe activity so the child actually get more privacy for normal use of their cell phones and computers.
Most parents believe that they know what's going on with their kids but very few people really understand the extent of dangers their children face every day. That's why I wrote the "Parent's Guide to the CyberWorld of Children."
It's available at no cost at www.LessStress4parents.com
I hope that you find it helpful.
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lnkddbz
Posts:
1
From:
US
Registered:
7/9/10
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ellenlebowitz
Posts:
1
From:
ny area
Registered:
7/6/10
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(3 of 15)
Re: online monitoring vs kids privacy
Jul 6, 2010 12:36 PM
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There's a book written by child psychiatrist Dr. Eitan Schwarz that covers these kinds of issues. The book, "Kids, Parents & Technology: A Guide for Young Families" was written to help parents deals with this issue. His website, http://mydigitalfamily.org elaborates. I hope this is helpful. Thanks, Ellen Lebowitz |
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Mimmy23
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16
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4/6/10
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(2 of 15)
Re: online monitoring vs kids privacy
May 25, 2010 8:38 AM
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I prefer to use monitoring software.
I like ActyMac DutyWatch Remote.
It is a computer monitoring and recording program that is capable of capturing every software used, every website visited, every keystroke made, even every instant message chat.
I do not forbid my children smth, but I prefer to know if there is any dangerous for them in the internet.
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Rita09
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5
Registered:
5/5/10
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(1 of 15)
online monitoring vs kids privacy
May 6, 2010 8:10 AM
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I'd be interested in hearing other viewpoints in the debate of using software to help monitor online activity vs kid's right to privacy.
While i feel that to a certain degree a parent should respect the privacy of their children, I also feel that as a parent, one of my primary responsibilities is to protect my children from harm as well as teach them how to protect themselves. I am suprised at times when friends who I know share similar ideas and values relative to raising our children, suddenly let all boundaries and rules go when it comes to their kids' online activity, and rationalize that they simply don't know enough to be able to do it any differently.
I understand how, as such a fast-changing and relatively new phenomenon, it can be overwhelming, especially without having prior experience of how your own parents handled it. It certainly is not easy, and it's not at all foolproof, but I do work to occasionally include online social activity, including texting, into coversations i have with my kids, to be more familiar with their particular interests and their attitudes toward it all. I also feel that the online monitoring software I use is a great tool to help me generally be better aware of my kids online activity, without infringing too much on their privacy, an awareness that better enables me to more knowlegeably initiate or steer related conversations.
I am curious to hear how others approach this challenge in raising a child in today's online world, shoukld anyone care to share their thoughts. Thanks!.
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