http://download.cnet.com/downloads/...lst-7-1.1555838 Go there. You'll see what I mean.

Hi Sink,

Unless your children are really depraved then a parent shouldn't have to monitor what they are doing. After all, it's not as if they read your snail mail and look through the magazines you read right?

There seems to be a lack of trust with anything related to the Internet. Shame that

There's a big push these days for parents to shift blame from themselves to other 'villians', whether it be video games, movies, or sad old uncle Roger to name a few. The idea behind software like this is for parents to feel good about themselves because they're going out of their way to make sure their kids aren't exposed to the bad things in this world, by snooping on them, them coming down like a ton of bricks when they find something.

While I myself was a little older by the time the internet rolled around, and video games weren't quite as ultra violent as they are now, we still had videos. I remember seeing Evil Dead when it first came out, along with Amityville, The Exorcist and a host more. I knew the difference between a movie and real life then, and I know a lot of kids today know the difference between right and wrong.

It's about education, something that many parents today seem to think educational TV, or teachers are supposed to do, rather than them.

Could this sort of software serve a good purpose? Yes it could. Regardless of educating your kids, there are creepy people out there. As this software logs ICQ chats and what not, it might come in handy in the rare case your kids gets stalked by some loser who types with one hand.

But wouldn't it be better if you had an open relationship with your kids where they'd come to you for advice on this sort of thing, and you being there to guide your children through the do's and don't of life in general, giving them the right knowledge to stay safe? Just think how that relationship would be harmed when they found that software sitting there (you know they will)

Greg Moore

Well I downloaded it just to see how it works and I can't find any of the files. It's extra tricky.

IMO if a parent feels their son/daughter is engaging in or likely to engage in what they parent feels in innappropriate conversations on the net, they have a bigger problem with the kids. Just as your parents always told you not to talk to strangers, accept candy or gifts from strangers etc etc it's no different on the net.

I don't have a problem per se with tools for parents to help enforce their guidance (though what is there to stop the kids from using a computer at school, library, a friend's house instead??). But my concern is software like these will take the place of guidance. IOW, instead of teaching kids what not to do, parents will feel they are being good parents by just watching their kids. That's just closing one window and leaving the rest open.

I agree with Jaiem....

You know, I've seen so many parents rely too heavily on TV to educate/entertain their kids. It is very sad - my little nephew has had a TV, a computer, and at least one video game system in his bedroom since he was 3!!

You can all hold me to this if you want but I promised myself and Jesse (my son) long before he was born that he would not have a tv or a video game in his room until he is at least 8 or 9, maybe even older.

I am going to try to stick to that resolve. As for whether or not I agree with the spy software? I really think that it could be used for some good, and I also think that those parents that do decide to use it are trying to do it for their children's sake. However, if it is used improperly, and the whole situation mishandled, I can see where it could blow up in a parent's face.

I still think that good honest communication and time spent with family is the best thing to do. If on the other hand you end up with an older child or teen rebelling and getting into things that he/she shouldn't, I can see why these desperate decisions may be made.

Amanda.

I've had a TV and vido game system in my room since I was 6. I've had a computer in my room since I was 8.... and, I didn't turn too bad..... only, a pretty weird geek...

Well now JTY, you said it - not me!

You know, I've been classified as sometimes strange myself - and I didn't even have a TV in my room!

Amanda.

In my room I had an old 8 bit computer (BBC B) that required a tv inorder to use it. But I also ran around in the streets, cycled and played soccer in the parks. I think if used in moderation, tv's and games systems aren't such a bad thing. For a healthy well rounded up bringing a balance of many things must be found, I agree that several hours per day of exposure to tv and games is no substitute for quality family time.

However, I certainly won't be depriving my children from toys like the PS2, aferall it gives me a good reason to have one.

Maybe you guys think I some kind of square mommy or something? (I can just hear you saying "that poor child..." ) This couldn't be further from the truth! I'm actually pretty cool if I do say so myself. My 'quality' time is spent either playing with my son, listening to music with him (he loves music), spending time at our cabin, skidooing, etc...

I certainly don't intend to deprive him of TV, computers, and games until he's 8 or 9, I just don't plan to fill his bedroom with that stuff and always have it in his face. I think at such a young age he should be taught that there will be time for that stuff, and there will be time for other stuff too.

Of course, the sad reality is that no matter what I do and how I raise him, I cannot determine what kind of person he will grow up to be. But I hope to at least help him along the right path...

Amanda.