You can't escape technology, so you might as well learn how to deal with it.
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Technology
What can you do?
Keeping your children safe on the internet is hard to control, especially when they are probably more tech savvy than you. However, there are a few things that can be done to keep you aware of your child's online activity and safety.
- Have open discussion
Talk with your children about the dangers of the internet. Explain the importance of not giving out personal information. - Keep an open computer location
Put the computer in a common area of the house, making activity easily observable. If your child has their own personal laptop or computer, you should be questioning whether or not your child is responsible enough to even have one. - Visit your child's myspace, blog, or web site
Ask your child if they have a Myspace or personal web site. If they hesitate to show you, then suspicion should raise on their activities. - Track histories
Check your child's cell phone histories to see who they are calling. Check the web page histories on your computer to track what sites your child is viewing. However, keep in mind that these histories can be cleared manually at anytime. Your teen probably knows how to clear them. - Monitoring and filtering software
If it absolutely comes down to it, there is monitoring software available that allows you to see what your child does on the computer. There is also filtering software that prevents web sites from being visited. - Don't spoil your child
I know you want to make your child happy by giving them everything, but you must also be aware of what these things are. Is your child responsible enough to have their own computer or television? Are you the one buying your child violent videogames and music?
There are gifts that can help shape influences, so be aware of them and the level of responsibility your child can carry.
Think realistically
Let's think like a teenager for a moment, shall we.
Setting a time limit on the computer and limiting cell phone minutes is not going to cut it. Teens are fast with technology, and you will not be able to keep up with them most of the time. They can do many things in a few minutes that probably take you an hour to accomplish.
Understand that a teen can find computer and internet access other than your home computer. This is why it is important to know your child's friends and activities.
Above anything, you need trust and open communication between you and your child to confirm that dangerous activities are not going to take place.