Teenage Addiction to Facebook & More!!

James123_2

Hi
I've always trusted my son to use the internet sensibly. However, I'm increasingly aware that, whilst it is a great tool to support his school work, he is becoming distracted by all the usual social networking sites. So, reluctantly, I'm looking at trying to achieve the following:
I want to allow him full internet access. However, during certain times of the day, I'd like to be able to block him from using certain sites. This will basically allow him to work without distraction using the computer during, say, 7 - 8:30.
Our network is 100% wired, so a hardware solution could be possible. Equally, we would only want to restrict access to the ports in use by my son.
Hope this makes sense. Thanks for your help, as ever!!
James

Witchfinder_General

Depending on your Router.

On the LAN side you can allocate your son his own IP address (192.168.0.100 for example). Then set up "rules" (don't allow access to this URL between the hours of xxxx and xxxx). You can also set up your Router to email you daily/weekly/monthly, so you can see how long your son spends at certain URL's.

Just to reiterate, setting this up depends on what facilities your Router has.

JasX

Is there any material impact to school grades / quality of homework / warning from school about work not being done?

If not and he's managing to balance it all appropriately I fail to see what the problem is? would it be any different if he was watching TV or playing video games for hours on end?

How about a lower tech 'chat' with said teenager that "we've noticed you using x alot more. we're not going to do anything yet but would like you to make sure it doesn't interfere with your schoolwork or we may do something about it in future... we'll be keeping a closer eye on your school marks for the moment"

James123_2

Thanks. I'm using a Netgear DG834 v.4 I'm not sure this will allow me to limit viewable content between certain hours. I'm not very techie! Possibly I need to buy another wired router.
If there was a 'box' I could put between the router and his wired feed which did everything required, that would be great!!
Appreciate the reply.

Witchfinder_General

It doesn't matter that he is wireless.

I'm pretty sure your home network WiFi setup, has at least MAC based security? (Whereby you only allow known MAC's to join your wireless network)?

In the "LAN" section of your Router, allocate an IP address to his MAC address. He will always be allocated the IP address you have given him. And because of this, all the "rules" you make for this IP, will only affect him.

James123_2

Witchfinder_General wrote: »

It doesn't matter that he is wireless.

I'm pretty sure your home network WiFi setup, has at least MAC based security? (Whereby you only allow known MAC's to join your wireless network)?

Thanks ..
We're old-fashioned here! All wired. The router isn't wireless. Looking into your suggestions.

Witchfinder_General

James123 wrote: »

Thanks ..
We're old-fashioned here! All wired. The router isn't wireless. Looking into your suggestions.

Roger that. But you can still allocate him his own IP (via his MAC address).

To get his MAC (or any other family members).

Start > Run > then type cmd

at the Cmd Prompt type : ipconfig /all

closed

Dg834G has keyword and time schedule blocking, however I suspect you will face a losing battle

GEEGEE8

I'm meant to be revising for an exam tomorrow and am flicking between here and Facebook. It can be a major distraction and I wish my internet would break sometimes.

I think you are doing the right thing.

James123_2

JasX wrote: »

Is there any material impact to school grades / quality of homework / warning from school about work not being done?
t"

Yes, yes and YES. Hence request. Thanks.

James123_2

GEEGEE8 wrote: »

I'm meant to be revising for an exam tomorrow and am flicking between here and Facebook. It can be a major distraction and I wish my internet would break sometimes.

I think you are doing the right thing.

LOL ... keep flicking! It's a dilemma. I think I'll get the balance right if I can restrict use rather than 'ban' it altogether.

I'm still trawling through the router's settings to see if I can work it from here. However, a stand-alone thing might be easier for a novice like me. (If such a thing exists)