The myth of parental controls

[bakerhillpins]

I know there are several of us out there with kids hitting this stage in life and I have been pondering this very issue and also dreading the extra maintenance time I would need to spend on the home network. Interesting point of view.

I know there are a few IT guys out there too. Wonder what you might think.

http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-blogs/other/4212006/The-myth-of-parental-controls

[Khyron]

Key logging software = Win!

[bakerhillpins]

Hrmmm... keyboard loggers on an Ipod?

[Khyron]

give it time.... im talking on the computers.

[2Gunz]

I think it depends largely on the age of the child.  If they are over the age of twelve I think your mostly wasting your time.

You can block traffic from sites, block stuff via word lists and a host of other things.

Problem is since you made this post.... I suspect that he/she knows more about computers than you do. (not a jab at you, just what
I think is prolly a fairly accurate assumption).

Another problem is any fancy networking stuff goes out the window if the next door neighbors wifi is open. Or they go to a friends house.

As mentioned by somebody else, the only sure way to find out what is going on is a key logger.  But... that doesnt stop access, just lets you know what they are
typing.  If I where going to track somebody or snoop that would be my first stop. But just like there is a keylogger program there is also a key logger
finder program.

The Key logger program also presents other problems. Do you REALLY want to know exactly whats going on?  And lets say you do.... you then find something that
you want to stop.  Your going to have to sit your child down... tell them you where spying on them. Thats going to open the floodgates of mistrust from them toward you.
And worst yet... if they are smart, you will only get one shot with the key logger and they will be on to you.

Anyway, I dont have any real answers, I just know I dont want to be in your shoes.

If you have any questions about this stuff Ill be more than happy to answer them.

[TruckDriver]

They need key loggers for cell phones

[elacruze]

I use this;
http://www.opendns.com/

Open DNS is a free (pay for upgrades) server that filters available content. They began as institutional, for schools and such. It's easy to set up through your router at home for all devices using the router, and you can set it up for individual devices as well, I think. I began using it in Iraq and Afghanistan, not because of the filtering but because it actually sped up my data speeds; the local internet service only ever has to look up one number (that of ODNS) then your url request is made to the ODNS servers for throughput.

If I understand all that correctly. Suffice it to say, I don't get porn, I don't get much spam, and I don't pay anything for it. I've been using it for about 3 years now.

[bakerhillpins]

Problem is since you made this post.... I suspect that he/she knows more about computers than you do. (not a jab at you, just what
I think is prolly a fairly accurate assumption).

   Guess I will be the exception that proves the rule. No, I have a pretty good handle on all this computer stuff. The article popped up in a trade mag and I figured it was a good segue into a discussion about what tactics folks have employed, their pros/cons. We just got the eldest daughter an Ipod for xmas so it was time to put more though into local control as up to this point it has just been supervised use.

We live in the middle of nowhere - closest neighbor is well beyond COTS wifi systems and it also limits us to satellite net connection at the house (deathly slow). Friend's house isn't really frequent as it's a drive (middle of nowhere again) and because of the myriad of after school activities. Even weekends are consumed.   But it is there when it happens. I trust the places they go and frankly I can't really do more in that regard.

Key loggers were never my first choice, rather I would just monitor site activity through the router logs. You make a good point about trust though that I had not thought of.  

Not sure why you would be worried about being in my shoes. Kids are great but they take a lot of work. I expect them to try to game the system, I did plenty of times without the parents finding out. OK, I assume they didn't know since it didn't come up but maybe then did know but didn't feel the need to intercede. Regardless, it's not always easy, but then again that which takes more effort is more rewarding.  

I think the article makes some very good points and frankly seems like one of the better options. We should be more engaged with our kids rather than trying to let electronic nannies take the role. YMMV

[2Gunz]

Now that I have more information I recommend this..........

Build yourself a Smoothall.  Its router software installed on an old PC with several Nic's installed on it.

http://www.smoothwall.org/      (its free)


Then install the Dansguardian plugin onto the smoothwall. 

http://dansguardian.org/      (also free)


Basically you will have a very fancy router that has TONS of features.  And you also will get intelligent content filtering.


Have a look and let me know what you think.

[bakerhillpins]

Finally got around to looking at this. Have lots of irons in the fire these days.

Ill tell you what. It's cool no doubt and looks like it works slicker than snot. Problem boils down to the age old issue of money vs time. I don't have much of the first but I have even less of the 2nd. By the time I either bought or rummaged around to get the HW and then built up the whole system I am out way more time than it will take me to just earn the $$ to buy a system that is "good enough for my needs". The wife and I have decided to go the route of working with the kids as they get into the technology rather than just letting them have at it and try to clamp down on the gateways. So I am just going to upgrade my system to gigabit network in the house and simply use a off the shelf router.

Thanks for the links though.    I have passed them along to some of the younger guys at the office that have more time on their hands.