Author Topic: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)  (Read 4912 times)

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Offline Sir GuitarCozmo

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Mrs. Cozmo's 11 year old got a laptop for Christmas.  With wireless internet capabilities.  Also, he doesn't know to clear his search history when he's done.   :blush  So a cursory look through the history indicates we'll need to install some sort of internet monitoring software.  I know there are plenty of computer savvy parents on here who've likely had to do the same, so any suggestions would be welcome.

 I did attempt to use the content settings in Internet Explorer's tool menu, so that certain content was password protected, but for whatever reason, it basically password protected every damn site I wanted to go to so that's a no.  Also, anything free is the preferred way to go.  NetNanny, Cyberparent, etc. are all pay software.  Yes, he's likely eventually going to be looking at adult sites someday, but explicit and dangerous sites are nothing we need him to be able to have access to right now.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Offline skydivingninja

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2011, 06:34:12 PM »
I think Cybersitter is known to be pretty good.  I think that's its name, anyways.  It also edits the text of websites as well.  For example, I used a computer with Cybersitter on there and the word "Serrated" turned into the word "Se" :P  I'm sure there are controls to fix that but the parents of my friend's house were too lazy, I think.  :lol

Offline 73109

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2011, 06:51:45 PM »
I say let the kid alone. :P

No kid wants their parents taking a look at what they're up to, and trust me, it can't be that bad. As long as he is not looking up the best methods to commit patricide, I wouldn't care too much. :lol

Granted, I am a teen and I just speak for myself.

Offline Perpetual Change

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2011, 06:53:14 PM »
Woah. 11 year olds have laptops these days?

Offline skydivingninja

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2011, 06:54:24 PM »
Well I'm not a big fan of monitoring, but programs like Cybersitter, etc. can stop people from going to certain places and Cozmo/Mrs. Cozmo doesn't have to look through what he visits.

Offline j

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2011, 07:04:03 PM »
Woah. 11 year olds have laptops these days?

That was my first reaction.

And lol @ 73109.

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Offline XJDenton

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2011, 07:06:05 PM »
Honestly? Don't use software. Only allow him to use the net when you're in the room with him.
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Offline Perpetual Change

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2011, 07:12:20 PM »
Honestly? Don't use software. Only allow him to use the net when you're in the room with him.

This.

I'd do something like-- laptop stays on the ground floor, where the family is or can easily be if they want to. No using it when no-one is home, and certainly no taking it up to "bed" with you at night  :lol

Offline 73109

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #8 on: April 30, 2011, 07:17:45 PM »
Honestly? Don't use software. Only allow him to use the net when you're in the room with him.

That's too controlling. My philosophy...

If you let the kid do what he wants, he'd have too much respect for you to fuck with that. Trust me. If you say "go and do...just don't ____," he won't _____. Granted, that might not work with porn, but with more serious shit, I am certain that is the way to go.

Offline ehra

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #9 on: April 30, 2011, 07:38:50 PM »
Numbers, I'd imagine you're just about the last person on these forums Cosmo needs parenting advice from.

Offline 73109

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #10 on: April 30, 2011, 07:39:52 PM »
While I agree, I'm just given a kid's point of view...I'll leave now.

Offline Perpetual Change

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #11 on: April 30, 2011, 07:41:59 PM »
I'd agree with numbers if I thought 11 year olds were capable of that sort of respect.

Offline Nefyn

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #12 on: April 30, 2011, 07:44:58 PM »
When I was younger my Dad used K9 security on my laptop, not too sure if it's free though.

Offline ZBomber

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #13 on: April 30, 2011, 07:50:28 PM »
Yeah, 11 is too young for that kind of thing. My parents never really monitored my internet use, but I feel like the internet wasn't as bad as it is now.  :lol

Don't have any ideas for programs though. If you get firefox, there might be some plug ins you could use with it.

Offline sonatafanica

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #14 on: April 30, 2011, 07:58:31 PM »
11 years old shmelshmeven years old. Let the kid see as much stuff on the internet as he can so he can be desensitized to it by the time he's my age and has to resort to manhandling himself to snuff films and glossy, self-taken photos of girls with their teeth knocked out and dried blood on their ears.

Offline ZBomber

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #15 on: April 30, 2011, 08:27:51 PM »
11 years old shmelshmeven years old. Let the kid see as much stuff on the internet as he can so he can be desensitized to it by the time he's my age and has to resort to manhandling himself to snuff films and glossy, self-taken photos of girls with their teeth knocked out and dried blood on their ears.

In my day, we had to make our own snuff films, there was no "internet". You simply did it or you didn't get to see it.

You kids are so spoiled these days.

Offline Super Dude

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #16 on: April 30, 2011, 10:32:02 PM »
Yeah, 11 is too young for that kind of thing. My parents never really monitored my internet use, but I feel like the internet wasn't as bad as it is now.  :lol

I kinda have to agree with that.  I don't know when the website-that-shall-not-be-named came into existence, but even if it was around when I first started exploring the internet, I'm almost certain knowledge of it wouldn't have been nearly as widespread as it is now.
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Offline MetalManiac666

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #17 on: April 30, 2011, 10:46:01 PM »
I had absolutely zero internet monitoring during my early teens, when I got my first laptop, and I would say I didn't turn out too screwed up. :lol

11 seems to be a damn early age to be starting what you seem to be implying he's starting as well. :P

Offline 73109

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #18 on: May 01, 2011, 07:23:44 PM »
All of that! ^^^

Including the first bit...hey, I'm not THAT fucked. Your kid could do worse. :P

Offline SPNKr

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #19 on: May 01, 2011, 07:50:21 PM »
Man I first found porn when I was like 8 or something (inaccurate info, still young though). Me and my friends were busted in the classroom for going on zombies.com and it turned out to be a random porn site. A few girls dobbed us in and the entire classroom had to stare at us being yelled at by the teacher.

How embarrassment.

Offline Ultimetalhead

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #20 on: May 01, 2011, 07:54:33 PM »
I remember first finding something when I was about 9. It was an all girls site, so I was just staring at it wondering what in the hell it was.  :lol
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Offline 73109

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #21 on: May 01, 2011, 07:55:32 PM »
I honestly don't remember the first time I ever experienced it. :lol

Offline LieLowTheWantedMan

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #22 on: May 01, 2011, 08:48:13 PM »
Honestly? Don't use software. Only allow him to use the net when you're in the room with him.
I'm a teen so this may not be a valid reply, but that's the most annoying thing imaginable. If I'm on MSN talking to friends, I don't want people watching me. I do have a right to privacy.

Offline pogoowner

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #23 on: May 01, 2011, 08:53:52 PM »
I used to have Cybersitter on my computer at home, and it was extremely annoying. The editing out of "bad" words (and it made some weird choices) caused all kinds of problems with reading pages, sending and receiving emails, posting on forums, IMing, etc. So hopefully that can be turned off. As usual, it also blocked plenty of perfectly legitimate sites. It also seemed to interfere with online components of various games and programs as well.

So I wouldn't recommend that particular program, unless they've made great improvements.

Offline Dr. DTVT

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #24 on: May 01, 2011, 08:55:41 PM »
Along XJDenton's line, but maybe a little more reasonable - password protect the connection to the wireless router, and don't save the password.  That way he can still write papers and play games without supervision, and if he needs to surf the internet someone is around for that.

It's easy to make a wireless password that other people would never get, but is also something different from your normal ones so you can distribute it to guests if needed.  I just strung together the three addresses I have lived at the longest, 421536925.  Its easy to remember, and I can give it to anyone who visits, and it prevents neighbors from stealing bandwidth.
     

Offline j

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #25 on: May 01, 2011, 08:57:08 PM »
Honestly? Don't use software. Only allow him to use the net when you're in the room with him.
I'm a teen so this may not be a valid reply, but that's the most annoying thing imaginable. If I'm on MSN talking to friends, I don't want people watching me. I do have a right to privacy.

If I understand correctly, it's not that they'd be looking over his shoulder constantly.  Just that they'd be in the room or nearby and checking on him frequently, which would probably deter him from intentionally going to sites he shouldn't.

-J

Offline LieLowTheWantedMan

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #26 on: May 01, 2011, 09:08:25 PM »
Honestly? Don't use software. Only allow him to use the net when you're in the room with him.
I'm a teen so this may not be a valid reply, but that's the most annoying thing imaginable. If I'm on MSN talking to friends, I don't want people watching me. I do have a right to privacy.

If I understand correctly, it's not that they'd be looking over his shoulder constantly.  Just that they'd be in the room or nearby and checking on him frequently, which would probably deter him from intentionally going to sites he shouldn't.

Yeah, in that case that's reasonable.

Offline kirbywelch92

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #27 on: May 01, 2011, 09:29:19 PM »
https://www1.k9webprotection.com/

I know, it looks corny and cheap but the interface works, it filters by category, and you can set the password to your email. Installs in the browser and is very easy to manage. It's also helped me many a time in preventing virus and spyware sites from going through. Best part, IT'S FREE!

Offline TempusVox

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #28 on: May 02, 2011, 08:16:53 AM »
Back in the day we couldn't wait until each issue of National Geographic came out.  :biggrin:
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Offline King Postwhore

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #29 on: May 02, 2011, 08:18:28 AM »
Back in the day we couldn't wait until each issue of National Geographic came out.  :biggrin:

Or look under dad's couch. :lol
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Offline Sir GuitarCozmo

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #30 on: May 02, 2011, 08:29:02 AM »
Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone.  He has also been trying to inform himself, by searching for things about the changes he may be able to expect in himself in the next few years.  So I guess we'll determine exactly what course of action to take, but right this second, we're not going to call him on it and embarrass him more.  If and when we do put a guard in place on the laptop (most likely), the smartest thing he could do would be to NOT call attention to it.  No sense in opening the door for your parents to tell you what dirt they have on you, if you can avoid it.

And, of course, I was no different.  I found wherever dad was hiding his magazines, though it's likely I didn't find them all.  Also, there is no way he didn't know that one of us (my brother or I) knew about them, but he never confronted us (I was probably 16 or so by the time I started to find his magazines).  I'll have to be sure to keep my 5-6 boxes full under lock and key when we move to the new house.  :lol

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #31 on: May 02, 2011, 08:31:21 AM »
Yea but you were 14 to 16.  That's a bit more acceptable to parents then an 11 year old.
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Offline Sir GuitarCozmo

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #32 on: May 02, 2011, 08:41:59 AM »
Right.  Also, at this point, most parents don't want their kids to know about these things so much.  We don't want him to be the kid that thinks he knows something and goes blabbing to all the other kids about it.

Offline Durg

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #33 on: May 02, 2011, 09:20:31 AM »
Hey Coz.  I've got a 12 year old boy with no computer on his own and and a 15 year old Korean exchange student whose parents bought him a laptop before coming to stay with us.  My son must either use the wife's laptop or my custom built desktop located in the family room with the TV and stuff. 

The 12 year old:
He is not a social kid and doesn't do the social networks and crap.  He needs the computer for school and to play games.  Still he uses the computer many times without us standing right behind him.  He has gone into sites accidentally or based on something a scout or classmate has said that was inappropriate.  The first time was an instructive moment and he was pretty upset (thought he would get in big trouble but, for once, he was innocent).  However, aside from the obvious protection for inappropriate sites, he also needs to be watched for going into places that will infect the computer with viruses.  The windows that pop up and say "a virus was found, click here to clean" are things that he's been told to come get me anytime something like this comes up.  He's been VERY good about this and understands the scams now.  For added protection I use opendns.com.  It's free.  You sign up for it and configure your router to route traffic through their filters.  You have tons of control on the type of the level of filtering that is to be used but it will affect everyone in the home.  I feel pretty safe with this one.

The 15 year old exchange student:
Obviously, since he reads Korean Web sites and opendns.com is based on english text, there's really not much I can do to keep him from going to sites he shouldn't.  But quite frankly, I trust him and he's mature enough to self monitor himself.  My biggest problem with him is staying up too late.  He's often up past midnight sitting in front of his laptop "doing homework".  Most of the time I think he's playing online games.  I caught him playing one at 2 in the morning.  I fixed this by configuring the router to block the internet Sunday nights through Thursday nights from 11:30pm to 6:00am.  Since then he goes to bed at a halfway decent time.  I allow him to stay up playing games on Fridays and Saturdays.

Hope that helps.
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Offline jsem

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Re: Need suggestions for internet monitoring (please keep it serious)
« Reply #34 on: May 02, 2011, 09:44:00 AM »
Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone.  He has also been trying to inform himself, by searching for things about the changes he may be able to expect in himself in the next few years.  So I guess we'll determine exactly what course of action to take, but right this second, we're not going to call him on it and embarrass him more.  If and when we do put a guard in place on the laptop (most likely), the smartest thing he could do would be to NOT call attention to it.  No sense in opening the door for your parents to tell you what dirt they have on you, if you can avoid it.

And, of course, I was no different.  I found wherever dad was hiding his magazines, though it's likely I didn't find them all.  Also, there is no way he didn't know that one of us (my brother or I) knew about them, but he never confronted us (I was probably 16 or so by the time I started to find his magazines).  I'll have to be sure to keep my 5-6 boxes full under lock and key when we move to the new house.  :lol
lolmagazines

Such an outdated idea at this point in time.

Anyway, RELEVANT ARTICLE HERE. Ofc take it with a grain of salt, but might be an interesting read for you Cozmo.