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#1
Posted 27 June 2008 - 04:16 AM
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#2
Posted 27 June 2008 - 08:16 AM
I don't think I would rely on Google to track your children's whereabouts - the Google Toolbar is meant more as a convenience rather than a security or safety tool.
Did you see Windows Vista Parental Controls? You did not mention their ages but I assume if they need to access many sites, new ones all the time, they are likely beyond toddler stage. The best way to watch where your kids go is to watch where they go - that is, do NOT put the computer in their rooms, but out in a common area - that's how it is set up for my grandkids. Also note there is 3rd party software you can buy - you might want to check out PC Mag - 12 Tools to keep Kids Safe Online. Some, like Net Nanny integrate into most common search engines such as Google and Yahoo so you can control and monitor activities. Safe Eyes, CyberPatrol and Net Nanny are probably the most popular.I've tried using parental controls but then the browser ask for permission to access just about every single site and that becomes a real nuisance as there are so many sites they need to use
Also, checkout FBI - A Parent's Guild to Internet Safety for more information.
You did not mention if they have their own accounts, but if not, parents should have a separate user account from the children. The parent's account is an "admin" account, independent of the kids' "limited" (as determined by the parent) account(s). Right behind protecting your family from Internet predators and other evils of the Internet is the protection of your privacy and your personal, sensitive, and/or financial information - and your Internet history too.
You may trust your children not to pry into your email, your banking accounts, credit cards etc. or to visit sites they should not, or to bring down some nasty malware, but stuff happens and you do not want or need something they do affecting your account or the whole computer. This is particularly necessary and critical if they are older kids and/or their friends come over and are left in an unsupervised environment.
Even if they have their own computer, you need to be the administrator and you create their accounts and control their activities. They know what's out there, and it's easy to find, and they know it.
Part of learning how to use a computer is developing the discipline to compute safely. This includes the habit of logging off, logging on, using and protecting passwords. So I urge you to create at least one account for the children (or one for each kid if you need to track individually and you don't want them pointing fingers at each other - ) with only the parent(s) with administrative accounts.
Freedom is NOT Free!
Windows and Devices for IT, 2007 - 2018
Heat is the bane of all electronics!
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#3
Posted 30 June 2008 - 02:01 AM
#4
Posted 30 June 2008 - 08:21 AM
Reference currently in the news: Missing girl, 12
She had told family members she planned to meet a friend and visit the friend's relative in a hospital. But police have said they doubt the girl had such a plan. Instead, they believe she may have been to meet someone she had contacted through the MySpace social networking Web site.
I think you should consider letting them set up a My Space account - but only under your supervision - the exact thing they want less of. But this really is for their own good. These badguys are not stupid!
Have them do the research to learn the dangers, then do the research to learn how to be safe. I would hope their school(s) could help too.
Freedom is NOT Free!
Windows and Devices for IT, 2007 - 2018
Heat is the bane of all electronics!
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