Dying To Know

In those earlier days, our parents would keep us safe from the evil in the world. Nowadays, the world has changed and so does the parenting. As our children are exposed to the big crazy world, we have to educate them to be alert to the risks they might face.

I have two teenagers kids, 1 boy and 1 girl. When my daughter was 16 years old, she got her driving license. Driving at such a young age really worries me. I’m really glad that the laws have revised now. My son would be only able to drive by himself at the age of 17 years old after two full years of having his permit.

However, there are more things to worry me. I also do believe that I’m not the only mother who has the same concern – What do my kids usually do when they’re at home? Why do they always stay up so late at night while I’m asleep? The answer is short and simple but it comes with many meanings – Internet.

Through the internet, my kids are revealed to the evils 24 hours a day. Online chatting and social home page sites enable them to meet with different people from all around the world at a single click of the mouse. Parenting job has become 24 hour a day job for me, as it is my duty to give them my protection until they are 18.

Here, I would like to share with you on how to protect your kids from the evils of the Internet. First, keep the computer in the open space. The kids would be more careful when browsing through the web pages as someone may be watching them. They may also get caught too if they’re doing something which is not allowed. Secondly, as for the social home page, take a step back to allow them to sign up instead of saying a big “NO”. Well, the “YES” does come with the terms and conditions that “As long as I am one of the members” and “You should keep your social circles to invitation only”.

Of course, if you don’t trust your kids at all, there are more extreme steps to take. You may record all the conversations from most of the chat systems via a simple “record” setting. Review it as many times as you like. It is up to you if you would like to inform your kids as you might be seen as “attacking” their privacy.

For the cell phone text messaging, you can do the same. Most cell phone carriers will allow you to investigate and they are able to provide the service of sending a copy of the actual text message send to/from the phone that you’re responsible for the bill payment. What are you waiting for? Just call your wireless carrier right away to gain the access.

Or perhaps, you shouldn’t. Teenagers are pretty much a grown-up adult. With their education and intellectual level, they would be able to tell what is right or wrong. Trust your children as you should believe in yourself that you’ve done a good parenting job since they’re young.