PC as kids entertainment

Skip · 12-16-2002, 10:49 PM

I'm stretching the meaning of this forum, i expect, but ...

I've recently networked my home and have PCs set up for various professional and personal uses. i'm wondering what particular software or other tools you all use to monitor or control the "entertainment" uses to which your kids use the PC. I mean things like Net Nanny, etc. Any preferences or dogs? Why or why not? Other gotcha's??

Thanks in advance.

Max Power · 12-16-2002, 11:41 PM

Nothing beats not allowing the kids to be on-line out of your sight. It's the only way, IMHO. Other than checking cookies every night and having a ground rule that zero cookies or a cleaned out recycle bin means they were up to something and now due punishment.

JamesI · 12-16-2002, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Max Power
Nothing beats not allowing the kids to be on-line out of your sight. It's the only way, IMHO.

That's what I'd do if I had kids.

I don't like software like Net Nanny, since it will block legit sites. The best way is to be nearby.

trripleplay · 12-17-2002, 09:22 AM

I do have kids and there is nothing like teaching your kids good discernment skills. Teach them to be selective of what they do and view, whether on the PC or elsewhere. And don't put a PC in their room. Have it in a public part of the house where anyone can pop in at any time. And be willing to let YOUR PC habits be viewable and reviewable by them as well.

WiredTiger · 12-17-2002, 01:25 PM

I remember the good old days when I knew a ton more than my parents about computers. My kids will be out of luck I guess because it's going to be tougher to fool me.

WiredTiger · 12-17-2002, 01:27 PM

You also may want to try one of those Spyware programs. I can't remember any names off hand but they record every keystroke and action. They are supposed to be hard to detect and you can look and see what your kids have been up to.

Skip · 12-17-2002, 02:03 PM

Geez ... I'm not abdicating responsibility here. I'm not trying to pass the buck. I'm not letting the PCs babysit my kids. I'm not trying to become the control-freak dictator of all things computing. I'm just curious if anyone has used any of the cyber-watch type programs and if they are any good.

WiredTiger · 12-17-2002, 03:11 PM

Most of them are fairly good if you want to filter things out. You have to keep on top of updates because things change very quickly. The only negative is that sometimes things get filtered out that you don't want to filter out (Breast Cacner, etc.)

Craig S. · 12-17-2002, 03:57 PM

Staying around is good.

If that doesn't work, I'd advocate for WT's idea of spyware. Not nearly as bad as it sounds, since you don't have to go everything carefully.

12-16-2002, 10:49 PM	#1
Skip NetShrine Vagabond Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Louisville Posts: 7,866	PC as kids entertainment I'm stretching the meaning of this forum, i expect, but ... I've recently networked my home and have PCs set up for various professional and personal uses. i'm wondering what particular software or other tools you all use to monitor or control the "entertainment" uses to which your kids use the PC. I mean things like Net Nanny, etc. Any preferences or dogs? Why or why not? Other gotcha's?? Thanks in advance.

12-16-2002, 11:41 PM	#2
Max Power NetShrine Creator & Curator Join Date: May 2002 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 5,548	Nothing beats not allowing the kids to be on-line out of your sight. It's the only way, IMHO. Other than checking cookies every night and having a ground rule that zero cookies or a cleaned out recycle bin means they were up to something and now due punishment. __________________ Steve, Forum Administrator "They come and they go, Hobbs. They come and they go." That's why there's NetShrine.com

12-17-2002, 09:22 AM	#4
trripleplay NetShrine All-Star Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 114	I do have kids and there is nothing like teaching your kids good discernment skills. Teach them to be selective of what they do and view, whether on the PC or elsewhere. And don't put a PC in their room. Have it in a public part of the house where anyone can pop in at any time. And be willing to let YOUR PC habits be viewable and reviewable by them as well. __________________ "People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." [Rogers Hornsby]

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12-17-2002, 01:25 PM	#5
WiredTiger Guest Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The city of Kaline, Cobb and Greenberg Posts: 3,395	I remember the good old days when I knew a ton more than my parents about computers. My kids will be out of luck I guess because it's going to be tougher to fool me.

12-17-2002, 01:27 PM	#6
WiredTiger Guest Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The city of Kaline, Cobb and Greenberg Posts: 3,395	You also may want to try one of those Spyware programs. I can't remember any names off hand but they record every keystroke and action. They are supposed to be hard to detect and you can look and see what your kids have been up to.

12-17-2002, 02:03 PM	#7
Skip NetShrine Vagabond Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Louisville Posts: 7,866	Geez ... I'm not abdicating responsibility here. I'm not trying to pass the buck. I'm not letting the PCs babysit my kids. I'm not trying to become the control-freak dictator of all things computing. I'm just curious if anyone has used any of the cyber-watch type programs and if they are any good.

12-17-2002, 03:11 PM	#8
WiredTiger Guest Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The city of Kaline, Cobb and Greenberg Posts: 3,395	Most of them are fairly good if you want to filter things out. You have to keep on top of updates because things change very quickly. The only negative is that sometimes things get filtered out that you don't want to filter out (Breast Cacner, etc.)

12-17-2002, 03:57 PM	#9
Craig S. Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,330	Staying around is good. If that doesn't work, I'd advocate for WT's idea of spyware. Not nearly as bad as it sounds, since you don't have to go everything carefully.

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