Monitoring kids - Monitoring Myspace

If you have kids, then, you probably have kids on MySpace. In this article, I am not going to cover all the dangers of MySpace, we are simply going to jump right in and talk about ways to monitor your kids MySpace usage.

The best and easiest way to monitor your kids online usage, is to sit down with them and look over their site. You need to get an idea of where your child is, socially, online. How are they behaving and how are they talking to others? Check out their online "friends". Go to their sites and see how they are behaving. Prepare to be shocked when you start reading some of the language these kids use online.

Now, that that’s over with, you go to the next step. While reviewing your child's site, you must cover what is and is not acceptable to you (for example, my wife and I do not allow our children to accept "friends" that they do not, personally, know). The next thing you need to do is install monitoring/blocking software. Even if your child’s site is completely acceptable, it doesn’t mean it will always be that way. At any time, they may be approached by inappropriate adults or sent pornographic material. Also, good kids can be too trusting and that can get them into trouble online.

Monitoring, seems to have a negative sound to it for some parents. Many parents feel that reading chat logs or their kids' messages is too invasive, that it is invading their kids' privacy. Think about that for a minute. Their kids are posting their likes, dislikes, feelings and much more on a site that has over 100 million users, and parents are worried about their kids' privacy? Why should 100 million other people, potentially, have access to information about your child and only you, the parents, be kept in the dark? MySpace is not private. Your kids' messages and comments on MySpace are not private. If a complete stranger can read the most personal information about your child, then why shouldn't you? The answer is obvious, you should.

Monitoring software is used to log messages sent and received, so that you can see who is talking to your child and what both sides are saying to one another. Blocking software can be used to block the sites that you choose, but, the biggest benefit with blocking software, is that it stops almost all inappropriate material from getting into your home. The two combined tools are your lifeline to your kids’ safety online.

Be a proactive parent, and download one of the many software programs available, and keep your kids safe online, just as you would off line.

There are many programs out their, Net nanny, cybersitter and Spector Pro among others. TheParentsEdge recommends Spector Pro. The others work well also, the important thing is to download one, install it and start using it today.
Author: Richard French creator of TheParentsEdge. For more articles on parenting kids online see Richard French - EzineArticles.com Expert Author