Internet Timer Tells Kids: Time's Up!

For another example of technology stepping in where trust ends, here's the WebGuard Programmable Internet Timer.

For times when the kids are home but parents are not, the password-protected timer allows parents to set time limits on Internet use, then shuts the Internet connection off when time's up. Expect to pay between $100 and $120 for the timer, which appears to be easy to set up and does not require software or interaction with your computer.

It looks as if it only connects to DSL modems or dial-up connections. But if you've still got a dial-up connection, chances are your kids are in no rush to be on the computer anyway. That's a big enough deterrent right there.

Coolest-gadgets.com says the jacks which attach the WebGuard Programmable Timer to the computer are tamper proof, so there is practically no way for the young 'uns to get more World of Witchcraft airtime unless you allow them to do so. Still, I can't imagine that some tech-savvy kids won't game a try.

With GPS tracking now available on cell phones and cars, and parental controls available on computers, a trend is afoot to give parents the tech tools to monitor their kids to make sure they are doing what they say they are doing. But will parents embrace it? Will you?