Does it scare anyone else how their kids have surpassed them in computer skills at the age of four? Our children will grow up in a world with internet, Facebook, text messaging, etc. Which frankly scares the crap out of me. But allows me the chance to say things to my kids like, “When I was a little kid, we didn’t even have a microwave.” Seriously it cracks me up that when my kids play with a pretend camera they always turn it around so I can look at the picture. They don’t even know another kind exists. And they think every TV show can be paused and rewound (is that a word?) at their leisure. Even when we are somewhere that doesn’t have DVR.
When your mommy is a blogger, your kids know words like Twitter and laptop and blog. And the computer is just frankly a big part of their lives. But I want them to be safe. They love to go on Nick Jr., Noggin, PBS and Webkinz, but you click one wrong button and who knows what you will find. We do all the obvious things of keeping the computer in public places and trying to monitor where our kids go, but I still get very nervous.
So I was thrilled to see that Norton has developed an online product to keep our kids safe. I already trust Norton to keep my computer safe so it seems a good fit for me. Here are the things I love about Norton Online Family:
- Easy Set Up: So easy to sign up and you can customize the settings for each family member based on age.
- Easy to Monitor: You can see every site your child goes to and the time spent on that site. You can also see what search words your child used in search engines and where they lead.
- Website Blocking: You can block websites and website categories from even being discovered.
- Curfews: You can limit the child’s computer usage so they aren’t on for hours at a time.
There are a lot of other great reasons to check out Norton Online Family, especially if you have older children who are big in to social networking sites or using the internet for lots of research purposes where they might stumble on to questionable content.
This product doesn’t even launch until Spring, but I have a chance for you to get a sneak peek early. Head over here if you are interested in this great product. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.
For more great ideas, head over to WFMW new home at We Are That Family.
CarolinaMama
says:
Great ideas. Thanks for sharing.
[Reply]
February 25th, 2009 at 12:33 am
Hillary @ The Dunham Diaries
says:
My husband and I joked recently that our kids won’t know a time when they didn’t have e-mail and internet access on our cell phones.
Where are the flying cars? I was hoping for that before I could twitter by cell!
Hillary @ The Dunham Diariess last blog post..Become a Consignment Sale Warrior in 10 Easy Steps
[Reply]
February 25th, 2009 at 1:06 am
Amanda- VintageDutchGirl
says:
My just turned 2 yr old can already scroll and use the mouse – eeek! (pun COMPLETELY intended).
We will most definitely be using some sort of internet/computer dealybop to protect our progeny
Amanda- VintageDutchGirls last blog post..Toddlertainment…
[Reply]
February 25th, 2009 at 2:33 am
Candace
says:
I’ll have to check that out. Now that our oldest (5) is really getting into “computer time” we need to get some sort of protection just in case. I’m not too worried about him finding something- I’m more worried that something will find him. If that makes any sense.
Candaces last blog post..Yikes!
[Reply]
February 25th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Sherry
says:
Thank you for sharing. I definitely need to look into this. If you don’t mind me asking, how much did it cost? THank you!
Sherrys last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – Serene
[Reply]
February 25th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Raise Them Up
says:
I’m with you all. It is sobering to think of all the access our kids have to the web–even at school.
My tweens will come home with sites scribbled on scraps of paper that they visited during the day and want to go back to at home. Some of the sites they show me have no educational value at all. It leaves me wondering who is watching over them at school…and why the children are allowed to surf without a purpose.
O.K., I’ll get down off my box now. But you are right. We can’t employ too many safeguards.
Raise Them Ups last blog post..Star Wars
[Reply]
February 25th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Cupcake
says:
That sounds like a great product!! I don’t have kids yet but I am sure I will want something like this when they get old enough to accidentely learn about the birds and the bees from the internet…
Cupcakes last blog post..How AS affects me…
[Reply]
February 25th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Amy Ellen
says:
Thanks for this post. I too am concerned about internet safety for my kids. And I too laugh hilariously when the kids as to see the back of their GiGi’s camera… I don’t think great-grandmother plans on going digital any time soon!
Amy Ellens last blog post..One Strategy for Beating the Winter Blues
[Reply]
February 25th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Jen
says:
Great post with a great idea to keep the kiddos and, frankly, me safe. Once I was looking for an image of Delilah for children’s church, and well…many were not fit for sailors, let alone children.
[Reply]
February 25th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
carrie
says:
Great post!
I wanted to let you know about another “keeping kids safe on the web” product. Have you heard of Glubble? You can only get it if you use the Firefox browser and its FREE! Its very similar to what you described the Norton software doing. Check it out…we’ve been using it for awhile and I love it!
[Reply]
February 25th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
BecomingMe
says:
Great idea! Thank you.
BecomingMes last blog post..A Turn for the Worse
[Reply]
February 25th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com
says:
That’s a great idea!
[Reply]
February 26th, 2009 at 6:36 pm