Teens and the Internet

Billy n NC · Postby **Billy n NC** » November 20th, 2012, 1:10 am

Okay Ms Betty and I are on new ground. We have been Foster Parents for over 30 years. off and on. Over 75 children. But mostly they have been K-5 grade. or younger.

We have a 14 year old and a 17 year old in the home at this time.

Trying to (for lack of words ) SPY on there internet activity. Any free or real cheap software for this.

How much spying is too much.
Thy have made it fairly easy for now. Leaving computer logged in etc.

What about Legality of the spying...????

Pastor Bill · Postby **Pastor Bill** » November 20th, 2012, 7:05 am

We basically have explained to our kids that we will monitor anything they do online. We have access to their accounts, and their cell phones.

computers are available, but are in open areas and we can walk up and see what they are doing at any time.

pastorables · Postby **pastorables** » November 20th, 2012, 7:27 am

Billy n NC wrote:
Trying to (for lack of words ) SPY on there internet activity. Any free or real cheap software for this.

You don't need any software. Just find and explore the cookies folder. The cookies folder generally keeps an exhaustive web footprint of all sites visited.

This method has even been used by the authorities in investigating suspected criminal activity, etc...

Keep in mind though that some cookies are added through pop-ups that could make an innocent person look bad.

pa

Pastor Bill · Postby **Pastor Bill** » November 20th, 2012, 7:34 am

Cookies and even History are good places to look, but both can be cleared by anyone with a basic knowledge of computers.

House rule can be that these are NOT cleared, so you can check.

Working in IT, my kids don't try to hide things from me because they are sure I can find it anyway!

RamboPreacher · Postby **RamboPreacher** » November 21st, 2012, 12:55 pm

couple places to start:
http://www.familyfellowship.com/
http://www.internetsafety.com/safe-eyes ... ftware.php

can't vouch for either, but I did have something similar that was sponsored by Chuck Norris, years back - at least a place to start.

Billy n NC · Postby **Billy n NC** » November 22nd, 2012, 11:47 am

Here is a bit more info.

We have two teenage boys in our home. Fosterchildren.

Just wondering about he legalities of spying on them and to what extent. They are using MY computer but their accounts etc.. fAcebook, gmail etc...

dolfan · Postby **dolfan** » November 23rd, 2012, 4:34 am

My wife spent 5 years running a local office of a regional therapeutic foster care company. Spy away on your computers.

darylscook · Postby **darylscook** » November 23rd, 2012, 9:58 am

My children are 10 and 14 and both are about to have birthdays. One site we use is http://www.covenanteyes.com.

Also, to protect them from accidentally stumbling on something, we use netgenie for our router:
http://www.familysafe.com/netgenie_wire ... with_.html

Pastor Daryl

Full Quiver · Postby **Full Quiver** » December 5th, 2012, 6:36 am

Billy, if it's your equipment, and your internet connection then by all means spy. If you can't spy then don't be a fosterparent or fostergrandparent.

Billy n NC · Postby **Billy n NC** » December 5th, 2012, 12:25 pm

Full Quiver, I can spy..

I have his Pword for fbook, gmail, yahoo. textem, and skype..

LOL

concerened about legality..

Penny · Postby **Penny** » December 9th, 2012, 2:00 pm

have they given you a reason to spy...?Do you not trust them?

Penny · Postby **Penny** » December 9th, 2012, 2:00 pm

have they given you a reason to spy...?Do you not trust them?

beckrl · Postby **beckrl** » December 9th, 2012, 4:10 pm

Billy I have a 15 year old son and I use Windows Live Family Safety.
Has filters and Family control and sents email to the admin of sites visted by your kids.

http://windows.Micro$oft.com/en-US/wind ... ily-Safety

Full Quiver · Postby **Full Quiver** » December 12th, 2012, 3:13 am

Billy, are you the parent or not?

dolfan · Postby **dolfan** » December 12th, 2012, 4:37 am

Penny wrote:have they given you a reason to spy...?Do you not trust them?

Can I answer that?

NO! I don't trust my child's ability to judge. Even -- (especially?!?) -- as a teenager, they lack the real ability to make the highest rational judgments. It isn't an issue of whether their character is "good" or not. It matters most whether they are learning to follow Jesus, and being trained in that following. Training them involves knowing what they know. Seeing what they see. How can you coach them and lead them and teach them to navigate the evil of the world (i.e., avoid it) when you are not physically with them moment by moment? You have to dig deeply into their lives and lead them through to the One who IS life. It is time-consuming and pain-staking and --- yes --- nosy.

The gospels tell us repeatedly that Jesus knew what was in men's hearts, he knew what they were thinking, what they were saying. Was Jesus spying? No. He was 'knowing'. And, as He knew and lead the disciples, as He knew and confronted evil in not only His disciples but in the world around them, He was always pointing to the Father.

We do not have the kind of ability to know as Him who knows all things. We know as we are taught of God. And, we are taught of God to be diligent and to lead our children. There is no biblical mandate for privacy of children. There is a biblical mandate to teach them how they ought to live.

Jude 2