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Online Protection for Your Children

Kids using the computers.

Image by San Jose Library via Flickr

Today, there are many dangers to our children that are on the Internet. It is imperative that, as parents, you protect your children while they are online. Here is a look at several ways you can implement this safety plan.

Internet filtering and monitoring software should be considered an option. These packages can range from simple to complex and can also include specially design children’s browsers.

Browsers, in general, have several levels of protection that include being able to set certain levels of protection. However, consider using a children’s browser. These browsers are available free and will only allow access to sites that you have selected. These browsers can also filter out pornographic and other dangerous sites. It is also advisable that you keep the computer in a supervised area of your home.

Filtering software can be purchased, usually on a subscription basis, and provides customization features. These features allow parents to provide the proper level of filter that is age-appropriate. Sites can be disallowed or allowed. In addition, this type of software can be remotely accessed.

There are also programs available that will allow you to track the sites that your child visits. Some packages also are able to track actually keystrokes to add a greater level of monitoring.

While these tools are valuable, one of the most important things you can do is to discuss the dangers that are present on the Internet with your children. Help them understand that not everyone on the Internet is a friend or has good intentions. Also, make sure that they never give out any personal information.

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Monitoring Your Teen’s Cell Phone Use

Angel with mobile phone 

Image by Meneer De Braker (Akbar2) via Flickr

When your teen gets on the phone, who knows what they’re saying? While you can’t tap their phones to find out if they’re planning anything nefarious, you can check out who they’re calling and how long they’re spending on the phone. If they have minutes to be tended to, you can check out all of those things on your bill. Overall, monitoring your teen’s cell phone use is a fairly easy thing to do.

While your teen is downloading unlimited music, they can be talking to their friends about anything. While this can lead to a lot of possible problems, the real problems happen when they go over their minutes. In cases like that, an unlimited plan can be useful. However, you might want to actually limit the number of texts your teen can send and make them pay for any they send or look at over and above that number. While it might seem cruel, it is a good way to get your teen to think about the future and how to use resources.

Of course, making your teen actually pay can become a serious issue. After all, if he or she refuses to pay, you have to cancel their cell phone plan as a punishment, which can be a serious hindrance to a person in this day and age. “I’ll call you” has replaced almost any sort of real planning, as people tend to think only about right now and keeping in nearly constant contact through technology. But having consequences for inappropriate cell phone usage teaches powerful lessons that every teen needs to know.

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Keep Track of Your Teen with GPS

GPS navigation solution running on a smartphon...

Image via Wikipedia

Like any parent who has teens, I regularly wonder where mine are. Now that they’re in college, it’s gotten worse. I generally get to see my kids for a few minutes in the morning, and then don’t see them again until late at night. Between those times, their days are filled with school, work and friends.

I think I’ve done a good job raising my kids. They are mostly obedient, usually call to tell me where they are and where they’re going, and actually do their homework. But that doesn’t keep me from wondering if they’re always where they say they are. I’m not so old that I don’t remember how much we used to try and fool our parents when I was a teen.

A new application of GPS technology can put an end to this worry. These units, which mount on your kid’s car, regularly update you as to their location. With the online application that is part of the service, you can easily program locations that your child is supposed to be at, and locations where they aren’t supposed to be. The moment they cross one of those “fences” you hear about it. As an added bonus, you get notified every time your child exceeds the speed limit. Ha, who needs cops giving our tickets, when parents are watching?

While I’m sure there’s going to be a great outcry, from the youth of our country, about how these devices are stealing their liberty, I think it’s a great idea. Where did our youth get the idea that liberty meant hiding things from their parents anyway? As responsible parents, we should know what our children are doing, where they are going, and who they are with. These devices give us the opportunity to keep tabs on our kids, so we can help them avoid many of the pitfalls of growing up.’

To take advantage of this service requires buying the GPS device, which is installed in a hidden location on the car, and pay a monthly fee. While that might seem a little steep, what’s your peace of mind worth?

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