Parents trying to shut down myspace

[ZrEo0]

The Story (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7668788/)

i think its the parents fault mainly for not keepin tabs on their kids

[Airencracken]

:stupid:

[cadetevon]

I've made it abundantly clear to my son (though only 9 right now) that every single thing he does online is and will always be tracked until he moves out of my home. It's expensive to have privacy. :spock:

Not everyone one the Net is a predator, not even close. There are tons of good people out there, and I've met many in real life. But there *are* wackos out there and it's my job to protect my son from them as best I can.

His school offered a 1 hour program to the parents about Internet Safety and using their cable boxes to block certain channels. It amazed me how many parents were letting their kids just do whatever on the Net. What amazed me more was the number of parents that didn't use the Net at all, didn't know the first thing about the technology and yet were totally ok with allowing their kids to 'run free.'

The good thing is that after that short presentation, most decided to do something about it and educate themselves.

[brainsmile]

I post my pictures nowhere

[RIVERWIDOW]

The Story (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7668788/)

i think its the parents fault mainly for not keepin tabs on their kids
:)
To be fair to the parents, it isn't always easy to keep tabs of what your kids are doing. You can keep kids inline at home but what happens when they go to a friends house? Especially if the friend has parents who aren't as diligent as you. You can't keep your kids in a bubble. And lets face it. Even kids with
stay at home, keep tabs on everything parents have been known to get into trouble. My oldest is a prime example. I stayed home, did the boy scouts, little league, football etc.When he got to High School he decided to do drugs instead of sports. We caught on quickly ,took him to counseling but he had a mindset that we couldn't break thru. So you are right, in that lots of times it is the parents fault for being too wrapped up in their own lives. B :neartears ut not always.

[ZrEo0]

parents mainly need to teach kids to only talk to people they know while they are online, i didnt start talking to other internet people until i was a senior in HS (with the exception of G|A) some of my friends lil siblings have met people online when they were 15/16. at other peoples houses. i think that was a bit much

[bachviet]

I have another 8-10 years before I have to worry about my little girl posting on the internet. Hopefully my knowledge about the internet now could help me to monitor her usage in the future. :D

[Burzhui]

this thread is useless without the mentioned pics

[navyones]

The Story (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7668788/)

i think its the parents fault mainly for not keepin tabs on their kids

I always find it very useful listening to advice about raising kids from people with no kids.

[cruelpupet]

I say...sign online..and talk to your kid...convince them that your someone else their age...and want to meet up. Meet them at the mall or something...and show them firsthand people online are not always who they say they are.

For the next 10 eyears, they will always wonder if those they talk to is really just mom or dad.

[cadetevon]

:)
To be fair to the parents, it isn't always easy to keep tabs of what your kids are doing. You can keep kids inline at home but what happens when they go to a friends house? Especially if the friend has parents who aren't as diligent as you. You can't keep your kids in a bubble. And lets face it. Even kids with
stay at home, keep tabs on everything parents have been known to get into trouble. My oldest is a prime example. I stayed home, did the boy scouts, little league, football etc.When he got to High School he decided to do drugs instead of sports. We caught on quickly ,took him to counseling but he had a mindset that we couldn't break thru. So you are right, in that lots of times it is the parents fault for being too wrapped up in their own lives. B :neartears ut not always.


I understand what you're saying RW, but there are software packages out there that help you monitor your child’s activities. For example, my son can not go to a site that I've not pre-approved. If I'm right by his side and he wants to go to a site that isn't on the already 'ok' list then I can type in my user name and my password and add it to the ok list. If I'm not home (work) then he can fill out a form and I get an email that accomplishes the same thing.

His email is stymied as well as his IMing. He can only email and IM with people that *I* have approved of (aunts, uncles, his Big Brother, and a select few other family friends).

Then when he logs off, I get a FULL detailed report of all IMs, emails and web pages visited.

You're totally right about not being able to totally keep track, like when he's at a friends house.

We can only do the best we can and continue to try, eh?

[cadetevon]

I always find it very useful listening to advice about raising kids from people with no kids.


Hey NavyOnes, long time no seeman! How are the wife and kids?

As for those without kids giving advice about raising kids, we don't much agree.

Using your logic there should be no male gynecologists or female proctologists. If you don't have one, you can't know the workings of it.

[RIVERWIDOW]

I understand what you're saying RW, but there are software packages out there that help you monitor your child’s activities. For example, my son can not go to a site that I've not pre-approved. If I'm right by his side and he wants to go to a site that isn't on the already 'ok' list then I can type in my user name and my password and add it to the ok list. If I'm not home (work) then he can fill out a form and I get an email that accomplishes the same thing.
His email is stymied as well as his IMing. He can only email and IM with people that *I* have approved of (aunts, uncles, his Big Brother, and a select few other family friends).
Then when he logs off, I get a FULL detailed report of all IMs, emails and web pages visited.You're totally right about not being able to totally keep track, like when he's at a friends house.We can only do the best we can and continue to try, eh?
You are lucky because I am totally techno challenged. If this had been 20 years ago I would not have had a clue what my kids were doing on the computer. So I took a couple classes and Im trying so when my Grands are here they won't :wavey2: be pulling any thing over on Grandma.

[Yossarian]

I always find it very useful listening to advice about raising kids from people with no kids.
so do i. it shows another perspective. and it also helps when taht advice come from the kids themselves

[cadetevon]

You are lucky because I am totally techno challenged. If this had been 20 years ago I would not have had a clue what my kids were doing on the computer. So I took a couple classes and Im trying so when my Grands are here they won't :wavey2: be pulling any thing over on Grandma.


You're one smart lady RW. Call the local Boys and Girls Club or the local Y and see if they can help you get some software that will do what I discribed.

You never know, they may have it and help you with it too! :cool:

[Showtime]

I post my pictures nowhere

Just because you dont post them, doesn't mean that we don't have them.
Bwahahahaahaa! ;)

-j

[ZrEo0]

I always find it very useful listening to advice about raising kids from people with no kids.

you got me there. i have no kids. i have nephews but i dont raise them, i just babysit from time to time. i dont know how to stop/limit kids from these .sites, but most parents dont pay enough attention to their kids these days, i know im not ready for kids, but when i am, i will pay attention to their actions

[DarkFury]

I understand what you're saying RW, but there are software packages out there that help you monitor your child’s activities. For example, my son can not go to a site that I've not pre-approved. If I'm right by his side and he wants to go to a site that isn't on the already 'ok' list then I can type in my user name and my password and add it to the ok list. If I'm not home (work) then he can fill out a form and I get an email that accomplishes the same thing.

His email is stymied as well as his IMing. He can only email and IM with people that *I* have approved of (aunts, uncles, his Big Brother, and a select few other family friends).

Then when he logs off, I get a FULL detailed report of all IMs, emails and web pages visited.

You're totally right about not being able to totally keep track, like when he's at a friends house.

We can only do the best we can and continue to try, eh?

Hooo Wheee!! Your house is on "lock down"!!!! :heh:

Cue the music from HBO's Oz.....

[Burzhui]

I say...sign online..and talk to your kid...convince them that your someone else their age...and want to meet up. Meet them at the mall or something...and show them firsthand people online are not always who they say they are.

For the next 10 eyears, they will always wonder if those they talk to is really just mom or dad.


this is actually great advice!

[navyones]

this is actually great advice!

Agreed!

[cadetevon]

Hooo Wheee!! Your house is on "lock down"!!!! :heh:


:) You better know it.

[navyones]

Hey NavyOnes, long time no seeman! How are the wife and kids?

As for those without kids giving advice about raising kids, we don't much agree.

Using your logic there should be no male gynecologists or female proctologists. If you don't have one, you can't know the workings of it.

While I see the point you are trying to make, I often see the "California" attitude come into play in regards to raising children. The "California" attitude is to let your kids "express themselves", spanking is bad, etc. As long as these attitudes exist, there will be no control over what a kid does.

I love my kids dearly, but I don't and won't let them run wild on the streets. If they want to "express themselves" in a manner that contradicts my beliefs, then they should find a new place to live.

I let my kids use the Internet freely, with controls. Each of my children has an account on the computer with specific controls set, which correspond to their age.

The answer is not to shut down websites. IMHO, the answer is to make Internet Controls accessible to parents. These programs should be free.

[BrewMaster]

I understand what you're saying RW, but there are software packages out there that help you monitor your child’s activities. For example, my son can not go to a site that I've not pre-approved. If I'm right by his side and he wants to go to a site that isn't on the already 'ok' list then I can type in my user name and my password and add it to the ok list. If I'm not home (work) then he can fill out a form and I get an email that accomplishes the same thing.

His email is stymied as well as his IMing. He can only email and IM with people that *I* have approved of (aunts, uncles, his Big Brother, and a select few other family friends).

Then when he logs off, I get a FULL detailed report of all IMs, emails and web pages visited.

You're totally right about not being able to totally keep track, like when he's at a friends house.

We can only do the best we can and continue to try, eh?

when i have kids i will institute something similar when they are young. BTW, which software package is that?

[welfareloser]

when i have kids i will institute something similar when they are young. BTW, which software package is that?

i fully expect my kids to be able to outsmart me when it comes to computers. i'm probably going to stick to blunt threats and horror stories.

and, yeah... if the internet is a scary place, and your kids don't do what you say, don't give them internet access. shutting down myspace is like the courts forcing your neighbor to get rid of his car because your 12 year old keeps stealing it.

[ShawnLee]

and, yeah... if the internet is a scary place, and your kids don't do what you say, don't give them internet access. shutting down myspace is like the courts forcing your neighbor to get rid of his car because your 12 year old keeps stealing it.Beautiful analogy. The only way it could be better is if the "you" in this story couldn't drive and were bewildered by automobiles.

While I feel for the lady, shutting down a website isn't the way to go about it. The way to do it is to get attention on the issue and get parents more invloved. I have a feeling that that's actually what this lady wants to do, and is getting attention by doing this.

[Airencracken]

I always find it very useful listening to advice about raising kids from people with no kids.

What you forget is that everyone was a kid once, and we know what stopped us from doing things we weren't supposed to do. :D

[Cantacuzene]

What you forget is that everyone was a kid once, and we know what stopped us from doing things we weren't supposed to do. :D

Exactly. If as a parent your whole life is to prevent your sons from looking at porn and to prevent your daughters from talking to boys at school... you will lose. Badly.

Kids are clever thieves but poor liars. Use that to your advantage.

[cadetevon]

While I see the point you are trying to make, I often see the "California" attitude come into play in regards to raising children. The "California" attitude is to let your kids "express themselves", spanking is bad, etc. As long as these attitudes exist, there will be no control over what a kid does.

I love my kids dearly, but I don't and won't let them run wild on the streets. If they want to "express themselves" in a manner that contradicts my beliefs, then they should find a new place to live.

I let my kids use the Internet freely, with controls. Each of my children has an account on the computer with specific controls set, which correspond to their age.

The answer is not to shut down websites. IMHO, the answer is to make Internet Controls accessible to parents. These programs should be free.


You and I are in total agreement.

I'm not espousing that they shut down any web site.


when i have kids i will institute something similar when they are young. BTW, which software package is that?


:) Currently he has an AOL account off of my main account and the parental tools are what I'm using. It's all free with the AOL service.

[Mommypooh]

In my house the computer will only be in the main room of the house completely visiable, as well as will be shut down by dad and me and will require a password to turn it on. So the kids cannot be on it with out our knowledge. As well as all the most current software for monitoring my kids usage of the internet. I think if the parents were responsible they would not have to worry about their kids talking to other people.

[usedillusion]

on that site, it seems you earn 'space creds' by how much space of bare skin you show. the sad part is that their basic info says they're like, 20, then somewhere in the profile it says "ok so i'm really 14." but how many of the guys drooling etc :hmm: over her hello kitty thong do you think are taking the time to actually read about her? ew.

[Paymaster]

Kids?!? I have trouble keeping my wife from posting too much information on her blog!

She especially likes to post about vacations- telling everyone where we are going, and when. It's like leaving a big sign on the door that says "No one is home. Feel free to burglarize this house."

[TechMage]

The Story (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7668788/)

i think its the parents fault mainly for not keepin tabs on their kids

I concur, no myspace at my place. At some point my daughter thought she was 18 and living in L.A. Sorry babe, not in my house!!! My space stays, parents..."Wake the F&&* up!!!"


:)
To be fair to the parents, it isn't always easy to keep tabs of what your kids are doing. You can keep kids inline at home but what happens when they go to a friends house? Especially if the friend has parents who aren't as diligent as you. You can't keep your kids in a bubble. And lets face it. Even kids with
stay at home, keep tabs on everything parents have been known to get into trouble. My oldest is a prime example. I stayed home, did the boy scouts, little league, football etc.When he got to High School he decided to do drugs instead of sports. We caught on quickly ,took him to counseling but he had a mindset that we couldn't break thru. So you are right, in that lots of times it is the parents fault for being too wrapped up in their own lives. B :neartears ut not always.

This is absolutely true, my wife and I are away from home 11-15 hours per day. That gives the girl 6.5 hours in school, 8 or so hours sleeping and the rest of the time home alone. I do what I can to keep her safe but kids are a lot smarter these days than they were BC (before computers). She knows right from wrong, but sometimes [often] forgets that wrong has consequences. USA, let freedom ring. Parents, your house is your USA and you are the President(s). When sh*t hits the fan, you are the one responsible. Keep your kids close, let them be themselves but watch out for the baddies. Ok, enough of my soapbox.

[StonedWheat]

You and I are in total agreement.

I'm not espousing that they shut down any web site.




:) Currently he has an AOL account off of my main account and the parental tools are what I'm using. It's all free with the AOL service.

Does that work with non-AOL browsers as well? What if your kid just opens IE or firefox...can he surf anywhere?

[cadetevon]

Does that work with non-AOL browsers as well? What if your kid just opens IE or firefox...can he surf anywhere?


Currently he isn't aware that there are other software options for browsing. :) So I'm good for the present time.

Eventually I'll get a third party software package that will help me control all the browsers. I've not yet done my research, but I do know that they exist.