Keylogging Software Can Follow Kids' Online Trail
Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:55PM EST
See Comments (7)
For parents who are on the lookout for ways to keep tabs on your kids' online activity, keylogging software is one option.
Keylogging, or keystroke logging, captures computer users' keystrokes. Essentially, they leave an easily followed trail of where they've been on the Internet, what they've written, what they've viewed—pretty much every move can be tracked. It's often used by employers to monitor employee usage of the Internet at work.
When you search on something and the phrase "professional spy software" comes up, generally that's not something I am eager to put into play in our home. PC World's Steve Bass says he, too, isn't a fan of keylogging software to spy on users. But when a friend with five children—four girls, the oldest 16, who spends a lot of time online—asked what he'd recommend to her for keeping an eye on their Internet activities, he suggested SpectorSoft's Spector Pro software.
He installed the $100 app on the family's computer and was surprised by everything it tracks and records for each user. It takes screenshots, records videos watched, and has a tab to follow all MySpace interactions. Parents also can set time limits on Internet use and restrict certain web sites and even help track where spyware was picked up.
I agree with Bass' one caveat: If you choose to install keylogging software on your computer, tell your kids you're doing it and why. My hope is this decision would come only after all other options, including talking to your kids about responsible and safe online interactions and asking to see their MySpace pages, are tried first. I understand that parents who have concerns their children may be in over their head online may want a powerful way to check what they're doing. Just make sure how you reached such a drastic monitoring choice is discussed as a family.
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Comments on Keylogging Software Can Follow Kids' Online Trail
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2 Posted by themarksterr on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:04PM EDT Report Abuse
Oh wow, what an invasion of privacy. If a child had parents who imprisoned them with this terrible program, he might want to kill himself. And about that time limit feature on the software .. that is just a nightmare. Yes, I agree it is the perfect method for monitoring your child's computer use, but it is also the most powerful way to discourage him or her to even use the computer. It's almost like having a surveillance camera in your bathroom.
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3 Posted by institches1954 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:24PM EDT Report Abuse
Just one more way for parents to Pass the Buck and remove THEIR responsibility for their children's actions. What ever happened to Parental Supervision? That doesn't mean buying software to do your job for you, and then paying (Wait! It's insurance or tax dollars paying for most of this stuff!) some shrink to feed you phony reasons why you & your kids are messed up. It's part of the Being a Family, Taking Care of Your Family, and Loving your Family. Just Pay Attention, for crying out loud. Spend time and effort and take care of this kind of thing yourself...like a responsible adult.
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4 Posted by woebetide_mourn on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:49PM EDT Report Abuse
I believe that teenagers should have a right to privacy just like any one else does. I don't believe that i am my parent's property. I don't think anything except a life-threatening situation or illegal activity would justify the use of a keylogger. My boyfriend and i talk online sometimes. We've been dating for a long time now, and he knows everything about me. He knows everything thats ever happened in my life, i did not have a good childhood. Many bad things happened when i was a little kid, and sometimes when i've told him things about my childhood we've been talking online. His dad has a keylogger program on his computer. We did not know this. It is the most uncomfortable situation in the world, when his father knows everything about my life-- even things i would never tell my own family. I don't believe that was any of his business, or his place.
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5 Posted by bjammons3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:08PM EDT Report Abuse
As a parent of teenagers, I think it is wonderful that this program is an option for parents to use if they have a situation that calls for such. No , my kids nor myself are seeing a shrink nor do I use your tax dollars raising them!! So if the days comes that I see one going down the wrong road ,then YES , I would use such a program. I have been very responsible as a parent, however sometimes kids will do what they THINK they can get by with. What kind of parent would I be if I didnt know everything my kids are up too?
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1 Posted by kkfortini on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:52PM EDT Report Abuse
Maybe if you did not let your children have unlimited choices when they were 3,4,5,6 years old, and taught them self discipline,and did not give in to their every desire, maybe you would not worry about their activity on the Web now