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Looking for some insight into how the more tech literate (assuming you're here means you're way ahead of the rest) parents on this site have implemented technology plans in their household?
No need to tell me I'm over the top, I know that. Looking for real feedback.
Looking for some insight into how the more tech literate (assuming you're here means you're way ahead of the rest) parents on this site have implemented technology plans in their household?
No need to tell me I'm over the top, I know that. Looking for real feedback.
Why do you do certain things?
Because they prepare them for the real world in which someone is not there to control them.
Quote:
Do they work?
I would be interested to know what you mean by "work".
Looking for some insight into how the more tech literate (assuming you're here means you're way ahead of the rest) parents on this site have implemented technology plans in their household?
No need to tell me I'm over the top, I know that. Looking for real feedback.
Just knowing this type of stuff goes on would make me check the info going back and forth if my kids were younger. Fortunately, they are college age, and my only inquiries at this point are when I need technical help.
Hubby and I are pretty tech literate. He is an IT guy and we both are gamers. A few things from our "technology plan." Probably forgetting a few things.
-Have computers in a central place. Our basement is our comfy computer area for the whole family and each of us have our own computer. I don't allow the kids on my computer. My screen locks so they can't on my computer and browse. I won't even tell you how many computers we own...various models since you will think we are auditioning for the Hoarders, lol. In fact, my hubby is rebuilding an older computer for my friend who is without a computer.
-Have things like Net Nanny in place. This software has done a pretty good job controlling access to various sites.
-Put parental controls on things like iPods, cell phones. My husband also gets a report of all browsing activity so we know what our kids are doing.
-Lay down some rules on social media. My kids (13 and 10) do not have twitter or FB accounts regardless of what "all the other kids have." ( a source of friction with our daughter)
-monitor cell phone activity. Cell phone became a necessity in 6th grade because of after school activities off campus and late buses. Unfortunately we took away texting since that became a problem with daughter.
Both of us are pretty vigilent with what our kids are doing. My hubby is a network/security IT guy so he is quite tech savvy. I'm paranoid about what kids are doing so at times, admittedly I go a bit overboard, especially with daughter who has engaged in some pretty risky behavior in the past. And yes, we constantly talk to our kids about internet safety. Even when my daughter did some sneaky things, she never did put herself at risk by divulging personal info. I'm pretty shocked by what some of her peers are doing in instagram and showing pics of themselves, their homes, etc. Daughter and I play some app games together and when it is an online game like Clash of Clans (an app game), I make sure that she is behaving appropriately while online...we are in the same clan so I can see the chat logs.
We've had a few mishaps along the way though with our daughter and she tries to push the boundaries. She was actually trying to set up social media sites at school which really pissed me off since we try to monitor things so closely at home.
Looking for some insight into how the more tech literate (assuming you're here means you're way ahead of the rest) parents on this site have implemented technology plans in their household?
No need to tell me I'm over the top, I know that. Looking for real feedback.
Why do you do certain things?
Do they work?
What have you tried that did not work?
Check the tmp files, keep the computer in a central area, don't buy them iPhones. Trust but verify, if a child isn't hiding anything or acting strange, then less monitoring is needed. One reason I get my kids tracfones is they are very affordable, also the child won't get out of control in texting and doesn't become nearly as addicted.
Hubby and I are pretty tech literate. He is an IT guy and we both are gamers. A few things from our "technology plan." Probably forgetting a few things.
-Have computers in a central place. Our basement is our comfy computer area for the whole family and each of us have our own computer. I don't allow the kids on my computer. My screen locks so they can't on my computer and browse. I won't even tell you how many computers we own...various models since you will think we are auditioning for the Hoarders, lol. In fact, my hubby is rebuilding an older computer for my friend who is without a computer.
-Have things like Net Nanny in place. This software has done a pretty good job controlling access to various sites.
-Put parental controls on things like iPods, cell phones. My husband also gets a report of all browsing activity so we know what our kids are doing.
-Lay down some rules on social media. My kids (13 and 10) do not have twitter or FB accounts regardless of what "all the other kids have." ( a source of friction with our daughter)
-monitor cell phone activity. Cell phone became a necessity in 6th grade because of after school activities off campus and late buses. Unfortunately we took away texting since that became a problem with daughter.
Both of us are pretty vigilent with what our kids are doing. My hubby is a network/security IT guy so he is quite tech savvy. I'm paranoid about what kids are doing so at times, admittedly I go a bit overboard, especially with daughter who has engaged in some pretty risky behavior in the past. And yes, we constantly talk to our kids about internet safety. Even when my daughter did some sneaky things, she never did put herself at risk by divulging personal info. I'm pretty shocked by what some of her peers are doing in instagram and showing pics of themselves, their homes, etc. Daughter and I play some app games together and when it is an online game like Clash of Clans (an app game), I make sure that she is behaving appropriately while online...we are in the same clan so I can see the chat logs.
We've had a few mishaps along the way though with our daughter and she tries to push the boundaries. She was actually trying to set up social media sites at school which really pissed me off since we try to monitor things so closely at home.
I do most of what is described above; we use Microsoft Security Essentials to monitor all the computer use and I get a weekly report showing websites visited and searches.
However, now my two oldest kids have Android tablets which are not under the MSE umbrella so they can see anything. I need to figure that one out plus the oldest (13) has her own 4G smartphone which I don't know how to control.
Also, I set up mail forwarding to me on their emails so I can see all their email traffic. Still, that is only partial control/monitoring.
I think this was a good idea this thread was set up.
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What is your families technology plan to keep your kids safe?
