Why do we let schools monitor our child's behavior online, as well as law enforcement officials, but drop the ball when it comes to computer safety in our own homes? Kids are internet savvy -- they know there are filters on the computers at school -- and that's why most kids navigate into dangerous situations under their own roof. If you aren't using monitoring software like PC Pandora, pedophiles and cyber-bullies have an open invitation into your home: a master key to your front door.
If you're one of those parents who are shaking their heads right now, thinking I'm trying to use scare-tactics, you haven't done enough research on the subject. This isn't the Swine Flu. The lack of online supervision by parents is a true epidemic, one that desperately needs a cure.
When PC Pandora offered Plugged In Parents a chance to review their monitoring software, we jumped at the chance. Online safety is as important to us as health, nutrition, and education. To prepare for this review, I spoke to several parents about why they do not currently monitor their child's activity online. Here are the top three responses I received:
1) I don't want to spy on my kids.
Fair enough. But consider this scenario: Imagine your child hanging out at the mall by themselves. No friends, no family, just standing outside one of the stores, introducing themselves to every stranger that walks by. Perhaps you see them pass out a few photos of themselves, or hand out a card with all their stats: their birthday, favorite ice cream flavor, what school they attend, where they live, etc. Is this something you would let them do? Of course not. If you saw them doing such a thing, you would rush up to them, grab their hand, tell them not to talk to strangers, and hurry them home. Would you have considered this "spying?" Would you have been violating their trust by telling them to stop? Think about it.
2) My kid's a good kid. He/she would never look at a site I didn't approve of.
Okay, maybe so. But what about their friends? Even if you have a rule that does not allow your child's friends to use your home computer, chances are this rule has been violated at some point or another. What happens when they surf to an inappropriate site? Not only could you get a virus from dangerous websites, but all images are copied onto your hard drive as temporary files. Your child can stumble upon them with a click of a mouse. Spyware can be downloaded unknowingly. Your IP address is stored on these websites, allowing them to solicit you with ads and emails, even after your child's friend is long gone. Monitoring software can help you protect your computer, as well as your family.
3) It's a violation of privacy.
Maybe, but privacy isn't a right, it's a privilege. Children need to earn it. At least in my house. When I take my girls to a soccer game, or we're at the park, I watch them like a hawk. I notice who they're friends with, how they interact with other children and adults, etc. Most parents I know do the same. Is this a violation of privacy? Why is monitoring our child's activity outside the home okay, yet we turn a blind eye once they hop online? Remember: when you set rules for online activity, you have the right to make sure those rules are being followed. Period.
Regardless of all the reasons I've heard, when it comes down to it, I think parents are just exhausted. Parenting is one tough gig, and it's difficult to be vigilant 24/7. But that's where the beauty of monitoring software like PC Pandora comes in! You don't have to watch over your child's shoulder every time they sit down at the keyboard. You don't have to browse through the hundreds of results in your web browser's history. With just the click of a button and a glance, you can literally see every second of your child's activity online. Screenshots are taken every few seconds of webcam footage and websites; it even keeps a log of everything that was typed in emails, chat windows, and search engines.
There are two ways I suggest using PC Pandora:
1) If your child has already abused your online rules, you can use PC Pandora as an invisible watchdog. It can be undetectable, even to a computer whiz. The program only appears when you press a designated series of keys (chosen by you), and even then, a small window is the only thing that pops up, asking for a password. Use this method if you are at your wits end and need solid proof that your child is breaking the rules. It's similar to a teenager who's been busted for drugs. He/she looks you straight in the eye and tells you they've stopped using, and yet you can still smell the marijuana on their clothes. Sometimes you have to do a bit of investigating before you can confront them on your suspicions. Or perhaps you found a photo of your child posing nude in front of their webcam on their MySpace page. You've dealt with the problem, but are suspicious they are still passing photos like these around, maybe on their cell phone, or emailing them. PC Pandora is a sure-fire way to find out.
2) You can still use PC Pandora in a more general and positive way by telling your kids about the monitoring software and letting them know you'll be watching their activity. What a novel concept, right? Many times, simply having the program installed and having this conversation is enough to get their good conscious rolling. You give them the choice to play by the rules or expect consequences. In this way, you won't have to feel like a spy (setting a trap so you can punish them), and you'll still be actively keeping your child safe. Isn't that the best of both worlds? You could even have a reward system. When you go through PC Pandora's findings on a daily/weekly/monthly basis, and you find your child has been following the rules, reward them. Show them that safe online activity is something worth being praised. Make the reward something special like going out to a movie, or out to a favorite restaurant. Don't make it more freedom online. That would just defeat the purpose!
I would still use the invisible option in this scenario, but you don't have to. PC Pandora can show up just like any other program with a shortcut on your desktop, or a link in your programs list. There are dozens of options, so you can tailor the program to your needs.
If you're thinking it would be great to get your hands on PC Pandora, check out their website: PCPandora.com for ordering information.
Also, check out the PC Pandora Blog if you're still unsure whether monitoring software is right for you. You'll find all the latest news about online predators, sexting, cyber-bullies, as well as information about current court cases, new internet safety laws, and more. It's not only a very informative read, but also very entertaining. The author is passionate about online safety--a passion that is easily infectious while you read.
Top Ten Family Dogs
Why do we let schools monitor our child's behavior online, as well as law enforcement officials, but drop the ball when it comes to computer safety in our own homes? Kids are internet savvy -- they know there are filters on the computers at school -- and that's why most kids navigate into dangerous situations under their own roof. If you aren't using monitoring software like PC Pandora, pedophiles and cyber-bullies have an open invitation into your home: a master key to your front door.
