Software Time

By James Gaskin, NetworkWorld.com, 02/06/05

Is this a stupid product for parents, or a product for stupid parents?

Do you need help parenting your children? All of us do, to some extent. However, for those parents too stupid or too spineless to actually monitor and discipline their children, help has arrived.

A new product from Software Time promised to lock out the computer so your kids can't play on it too much. This is an update of the "Surf Safely" filters and restriction software that's been around from the start of the Web. This also controls the amount of time a computer can be used.

If you want the software, get the software. If you want to do it yourself, here's how to control your children's computer and Web activities:

-- Put the computer in the den or kitchen where you are most of the time, not in the child's room.

-- Make sure you and others walk by the computer and peer over the user's shoulder regularly.

-- Turn off or unplug the broadband connection when the child is at home and you're not.

-- If you don't want them to use the computer at all when you're gone, hide the mouse.

-- Check the history pages in the Web browser.

Your kids are children. You have to be the parent. You don't need special software to be a parent, but you do need time and dedication.

If you have tips and want to share what you've done to monitor your children's computer use, please share. Names withheld upon request.

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Comments

You make some good suggestions in this article, about placement of the computer and monitoring of the kids, and I certainly believe that the best *filter* is the watchful eye of a parent.

However, in many households, a parent can't always be present, and if you think that you're teenager doesn't know how to plug the broadband connection back in, or how to buy a $10 mouse to keep on hand...

While you're working, or you're out to dinner with friends, a lot of teens will be home doing homework with their computers. You don't want them spending a full six hours online, but you're willing to let them to spend a couple.

We have a lot of customers who are writing us with comments about how it's reduced stress or arguments over the computer (between parents and the kids or between siblings). The testimonials that we have on our site are from real customers. They seem to think this is actually an intelligent product for intelligent parents.

ComputerTime provides a good value to parents. No longer do you have to hassle with unplugging the keyboard or mouse every day when you go to work.

Posted by: Mark Sicignano on February 9, 2005 05:16 PM

You make some good suggestions in this article, about placement of the computer and monitoring of the kids, and I certainly believe that the best *filter* is the watchful eye of a parent.

However, in many households, a parent can't always be present, and if you think that you're teenager doesn't know how to plug the broadband connection back in, or how to buy a $10 mouse to keep on hand...

While you're working, or you're out to dinner with friends, a lot of teens will be home doing homework with their computers. You don't want them spending a full six hours online, but you're willing to let them to spend a couple.

We have a lot of customers who are writing us with comments about how it's reduced stress or arguments over the computer (between parents and the kids or between siblings). The testimonials that we have on our site are from real customers. They seem to think this is actually an intelligent product for intelligent parents.

ComputerTime provides a good value to parents. No longer do you have to hassle with unplugging the keyboard or mouse every day when you go to work.

Posted by: Mark Sicignano on February 9, 2005 05:29 PM