Non tech solutions

No tools, software, or settings on our computers are as powerful as a parent when it comes to protecting world wide kids on the internet.  I know I know it sounds sort of cliche’ but it is very true.  So I have  come up with a off line version of the ten commandments for parents of world wide kids.

1. Thou shalt not let a kid have a computer in their room ever.

2. Thou shalt not let kids use an administrator account.

3. Thou must make each child their own account.

4. Thou shalt not let kids know ones password.

5. Thou shalt not let kids download and install software.

6. Internet use by kids should only be done with parents present at home.

7. Computers will only be placed in public spaces in the home.

8. Games, Game systems, and Cell phones shalt not have internet access without controls.

9. Limits shalt be set on the amount of computer time kids have.

10. Thou shalt inform kids that they will be monitored, and thou shalt do so
There you have it, my list of ten commandments for parents of connected kids. They are basic, simple, and have nothing to do with using technology. They just require a little parental interaction and planning. I will break down and discuss these rules individually in the upcoming blog posts.

Parental controls

I recently got into a bit of a dispute with a coworker about Windows Vista. His contention is that Vista is horrible because of incompatibility issues with older equipment. Valid point, but that has more to do with companies not wanting to write driver for older equipment to force us to upgrade. My contention is that Vista is the most secure operating system Microsoft has ever made. One of main security features that I happen to love is the parental controls. I can set what program my kids can use, what websites they can go to, and what times and even how long they can stay logged in. Now instead of me being consternated, with security issues my kids are (much better for me). Seriously they do not mind and have now decided to interact with me more. “Daaaad, I need to get to this website for a school project.” Well I go look and sure enough my world wide kid is actually doing homework. Astounded at the level of productivity going on I simply put my user name and password in the pop up screen that you child can use to get permission and viola off to the web site for research. More information can be found in the following link http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/features/parental-controls.aspx

The World Wide Parent

Tech Support

Hello world wide web. I started this blog as a stepping stone to a full time job as blogger. I figured I would test my writing and content out on everyone here first. The goal of this blog is to offer up tips and ideas for parents to protect their children who have access to the internet. Not just computers, I also expect to write about game consoles, cell phones and other connected devices. I hope that I will be able to write in such a manner that anyone can use my advice and that even those who feel they have no computer or technical skills can use my advice. I also want to point out that much of the advice I have found that works is less about technology and more about parenting. In any event I a working hard at protecting my kids and I am sure that there are many parents out there who do the same. But what many do not know is that when they let their kids on the internet you are letting them have access and possibly be accessed by everyone in the world who the internet.  You wouldn’t let your children out the door without knowing where they are going would you? Well that is what you are doing when you let them on the internet.  I will be posting about the tips, tricks, and tools that you need to let your kids safely roam the world wide web.

The world wide parent

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