Checking the Children’s internet access.

onlyoneme

My young children have separate log in names and password, but I would like to keep an eye on which internet sites they have visited. I can’t go into their account without asking for their password (which I don’t really want to do… )


How can I check this regularly?

I don’t have any protective software

(I have an administrator access to the PC)

Zahc

There are a miriad of ways. Take a look here......

http://www.familyfirst.net/internetguide/isp.htm

leesmithg

onlyoneme wrote:

How can I check this regularly?

You sit with them when they use the net.

Problem solved.:T

Lord_Chris

easy enough, dont allow them their own passwords.... my parents didn't until i was about 13 lol. Besides, kids now will find a way to get around almost anything, and its not difficult to hide what sites your going on.

If your that worried best thing is to talk to them. But if you want extra control, dont let them have their own accounts on the computer.

Dead_Eye_Jones

yep I think the best thing is to spend time with them and know what they are doing, dont give us excuses, kids always come first! Right? Put the PC in a 'public' part of the hose where people are constantly passing, eg the kitchen or dining room. If you notice they dont like it when you get near the PC, and they start closing down windows, get secretive, and annoyed you are there then get worried!

You dont say how old the kids are?

Obviously as they get older they will need more privacy in terms of email etc, you wont want to be reading little Emily's chats about the boys at school or maybe little Timmy doesnt want you to find out hes also interested in the boys at school. Please have some respect for privacy, there are things you just dont wanna find out, and will almost certainly regret finding out in a snoopy way!

If you insist on snooping then there are a few things to do, the obvious is the 'net nanny' style progs. Also there are plenty of 'Spy' progs that can log all PC activity, fwd screenshots of whats going on, log MSN messages. Go to https://www.download.com and enter a few keywords eg "spy" or "sniff" etc. Good site as it has a filter at the bottom which allows you to select 'free' progs only.

Id say its essential you tell them what youve done, cos if you find out something you shouldnt - how on Earth are you gonna approach them about it without destroying your relationship with them...!

If it were me, on top of my 1st point, id have all internet traffic forced through a proxy on a seperate PC on the network, this server would offer total control of all network traffic. The kids would not have permissions on this machine and would not know the ISP password either thus limiting access to broadband. I would prob ensure the router/modem keeps logs too and only connects to one MAC (a unique network id code) address.

Id then make it clear to the teens in the house that all network activity is monitored, and set clear boundries as to what I wont tolerate, eg illegal file sharing etc. After all that I would not monitor their activity closely, Id hope I could trust them, but theyd know that if they got busted, we'd know exactly what theyve been doing.

Guess im fortunate to be in the situation where it will be likely I know more about network administration than my kids, well for a while anyway!

sco0ter

Òr how about something like this


http://www.monitoring-spy-software.com/

free for 15 days... should at least give you an idea what thier up to

onlyoneme

yes. thats sound like a great idea.

albertross_2

search this chat forum for "Parental controls", it has been asked and answered many times before..

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/search.html?searchid=3960812