Violation of privacy, censorship--what do YOU think?
Internet Safety Advisor
3 Comments
Should parents use filters or monitors on their home computers?
Internet filters(sometimes called "Content-control software") basically filters out, or blocks, undesirable content on your computer or network. Filters can be software or server based.
Monitoring software monitors or reports specific actions on the computer (web sites visited, programs used, IM's, etc).
Time control programs monitors and limits time spent on the computer.
Keylogging software or hardware, captures keystrokes (email, chats, etc) and screen captures. Can be completely hidden, invisible or in "stealth" mode.
While some recommend the use of filters, monitoring software, keyloggers or some sort of parental control on their home computers, others may argue it is a violation of privacy, censorship, etc.
As a parent of two teenagers and an Internet Safety advocate and educator, my concern is that parents simply rely on these methods for keeping their children safe online, and leave it at that. This may give them a false sense of security.
Do we as parents, have the right to monitor our children?? If so, do we tell our kids we are monitoring their online movements, or hide the fact we are snooping on them? Or should we, do we, trust them? If we elect to monitor their computer usage, is it censorship, are we violating our children's right to privacy?
What do you think??
(Dont forget to take the poll!!)
Reader Comments (3)
I have not had to deal with this YET. I know my turn is coming very soon.
I believe that monitoring tools may help parents feel a little more protected and like they are not completely on their own in this battle. I am a huge advocate of open communication. I think that parents have an obligation to tell their childeren that monitoring devices are in place. More importantly they need to tell them WHY they are in place. We all know that children will have access to computers that are not monitored. They need to be equipped with the knowledge of WHY not to be on certain sites and what the dangers are. It is important that parents don't get a false sense of security from the tools.
Spending time educating and loving your children is the best defense!
I think monitoring tools are important, but I don't think parents should rely on these tools alone. Furthermore I think parents should monitor children's online activity.
I have thought about this before, and some of the tools you have mentioned are good ones, and have had to deal with this in a small way with my sister.
Esentially it was looking like my sister (younger by about 15 years) was getting inappropriate ICQ and emails from one of her teachers in highschool, and my mother was worried about what was going on because she was seeing red flags.
That is where a keylogging program would have really helped.
As for the general question put forward, I would not tell my children they are being monitored and I have 2 (4 and 2 yrs old). I would make myself similiar to an firewall, where I allow you access to the internet but will monitor what you do and what content is allowed in.
It is also not just up to the programs to keep our children safe, that is why the computer is in the family room, where you will use it where anyone in the family can see what is coming up on the screen.
Time limits have to be set not by a program but by parents. PARENTS not programs need to be involved in the life of their children, you cannot allow a program to raise your child for you.
programs and utilities like you mentioned are there to HELP you with you, the parent's responsibility to your children. It is not designed to do the work for you.
You MUST be an active part in your child's life and development. Quit trying to be their 'friend' and be their PARENT!