Any Suggestions for Curbing Kids' Internet Access?

by Scully 34 Replies latest social family

• 

  5go

  I am sorry but it is still an image would not want to see again.
• 

  mrsjones5

  It's not something I would go looking for either. I totally understand why the kid freaked out, he's only 13. Gonna have hubby put a password on the mac. I have one on my laptop.
• 

  5go

  Though I have to say convincing at first. Though I could tell there was some photo shopping on the first picture. Also parasedic larvae do not do that.
• 

  bebu

  Are there programs that will automatically turn off the computer after a certain amount of login time per day?

  There is a product (not software) called TV Allowance, which is programmed (by you) to put limits on the amount of time someone is using a TV or any plugged in thing. You give your kids however many hours a week "allowance" for the item, you can block certain time periods you don't want them on, and you can give each kid a separate amount. They each make up their own 4-digit pin for access (that is, so that the machine will turn on) . They can learn to budget their computer time, there is an option to rollover unused hours into the next week, and there is a key and administrator's code so you can edit or whatnot.

  We don't use it these days... but we did before and it helped. We might have to drag it out again though.

  bebu
• 

  TD

  LDB,

  Just want to let you know that the Linksys routers (among others, but I mention them because a lot of people, including me have them), come with a decent OS that can do quite a bit. The cool thing about them is that you can flash the router with a new, free, OS (not from Linksys) and turn that $50 router into a $1000 low end commercial equivalant capable of filtering, blocking, restricting times, etc. My router is a beast right now. I don't need it to do all that stuff, but I can.

  That's really cool. I've read about this, but never known anyone that actually did it. How does it perform? Any problems with hangups?

  --Controlling the gateway is the only way to control internet access. I showed this thread to my teenager and got a good belly laugh from her.
• 

  Little Drummer Boy

  Hey TD,

  It performs very well. I reboot it maybe 2 times a year. Routers (of any price level), as you probably know are just computers. Like computers, the more reliable the hardware is, and the more reliable the software is, the more stable the platform. The Linksys stuff is fairly robust on the hardware side for home grade gear. Putting a good OS on it just makes it that much more solid.

  It has features on the OS that I didn't even begin to understand until I got through my entire CCNA course work. I can V-LAN my network in any way I like, Run OSFP, RIPv2, on and on. It's pretty damn cool. I would like to mention that it also lets me change my default wirless radio output from the default of 28 mw to a monstrous 251mw. That is a huge decibel gain. I can throw my signal about 3 times as far now, so my Mom (next house over) gets on my wireless so she doesn't have to pay an ISP. And that extra power does get the router HOT!, But I've been doing that for several years, and like I said, I only have to reboot about twice a year or so.

  I do want to point out that the version number of the router is critical when researching which OS will work. This mod became so popular that (if you believe the rumor mill) Linksys started reducing the amount of memory built in so that you couldn't fit some of the larger OS's on the flash. I can confirm that the different versions all look identical, but have vastly different amounts of RAM. Mine has 32 Mb (just like a lower end Cisco). Some of the new Linksys have much less. Also, you can turn your router into a brick by doing this, so be careful to follow the instructions. Also, beware of the "turn off the reset button" options in some of these OS's. If you do that and forget your password you are screwed because you'll have no way to force a reset of the settings.

  Can't think of anything else to say at the moment except my OS is:

  Sveasoft

  Alchemy-V1.0 v3.3768sv
• 

  MinisterAmos

  The childs' computer needs to be in plain view.
  
  Any parent that puts a comp in a closed bedroom with a child is doing the child a dis-service,
• 

  Little Drummer Boy

  The childs' computer needs to be in plain view.
  
  Any parent that puts a comp in a closed bedroom with a child is doing the child a dis-service,

  I think that is a bit harsh and is a sweeping statement. So where should the computer be placed? You say in plain view? Do you mean in the kitchen? The living room? These are the only 2 rooms that the majority of homes are garaunteed to have (in the U.S.). Not all of us make 6 figures and have spare dinning rooms, home offices, huge kitchens, and furnished basements where all of the family activity takes place. Some of us have small homes. So how do you propose that we cram a computer desk into the kitchen in a small home? Should we somehow cram it into the small living room where there already isn't even enough room for the furniture needed just to simply sit down? Computers have become an essential part of life (whether we like it or not) and I, for one, won't stiffle my son's ability to learn how to use it by taking it away from him just because we don't have a common area in the house big enough for a computer desk. Many people are in a similar situation and don't have the space to put a machine right out in the open or to dedicate a room as a home office. If you would care to finance the construction of small rooms for us and everone else where we can place our children's computers, please feel free to do so. Until then, our family and others will simply have to do the best we can and be reasonable about it.
• 

  5go

  The childs' computer needs to be in plain view.
  
  Any parent that puts a comp in a closed bedroom with a child is doing the child a dis-service,

  Ha ha! Funny from my experience it doesn't matter they can get to what any way and they have cover pages and other things to keep you thinking they are doing their school work.
• 

  aligot ripounsous

  In an attempt to keep computer use under control, as far as internet is concerned, I want to have the device installed in the lounge. In addition to having the parental control harware, I myself plug in the MP3-type link to the wi-fi box after I've made sure my 2 teen kids have gotten their homework done. When I'm away in day time I keep the MP3 key with me.They share the available time, so that they keep an eye on each other. No easy ready-made solution, though, computer takes a lot of their reading time. As far as video games are concerned, it's much more difficult to control.