The Tech Blog

Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.

1 Posted by njkillas on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:39PM EDT Report Abuse

it's sad that parents these days have to use these spy tools to keep tabs on their kids. you don't record their phone calls, so what makes talking online any different. as a parent, i think you should be able to trust your child enough to not have to record what they type online to their friends. if you raised your kids right, there should be nothing to worry about.

2 Posted by volalum1996 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:38PM EDT Report Abuse

Unfortunately, it's not always "our" kids that we have to worry about. My kids are not even old enough to read and I'm already starting to tech-up so I can protect them from those out there that might try to take advatage our their innocence.

3 Posted by iragersh on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:24PM EDT Report Abuse

I agree with volalum1996. I trust my kid but they really were only born yesterday. They really don't understand how many people base their lives on taking advantage of the naieve. They may be letting someone you and even they would not approve of into your home in some way. I would like to check up occasionally. ChatChecker doesn't do it. IM is not the only method of communication. There is email and there are many chat boards that only a remote control monitor would deal with.

4 Posted by shammoo2006 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:16PM EDT Report Abuse

have the same problem here at work

5 Posted by imbrellasoftware on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:23PM EDT Report Abuse

Instant messaging may not be the only way to that bad people can talk to our kids, but the one-on-one privacy that instant messaging offers is abused by bad people. Chatrooms are open to anyone, and it is more likely bad people will seek the privacy of instant messaging. That's why we focused on instant messaging first. Thanks, Marty Schultz, CEO, IMbrella/ChatChecker.

6 Posted by cnorman61 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:27PM EDT Report Abuse

I think that this is a bit too much.... Sure, I can see this software being used for work-related messaging (conspiracy theroies anyone?) but using it for home use? That's gonna quickly turn into family issues and trust issues.. (i've gone there before and so has my sister.) I'm not gonna say that this software is gonna be bad... but like some of the other comments I've seen, if you raised your kids right, don't spy on them to make sure. I think that if you are THAT worried about your child to spy on their IM's... just disable access to them. Uninstall or, if you're using Windows XP or the like, create a new user for your child under a limited account (Which prevents Installation of MOST software) and block IM client sites using a proxy or web filtering. I know that may be worse than spying and incite more trust issues... but if you can't trust them to IM someone, just block IM's period..

7 Posted by rivashugo@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:42PM EDT Report Abuse

??? maaaan i don't even know anymore. some kids are devils in angels clothing. as much as i love technology, i have to admit that there is no substitute for family time...and lots of it.

8 Posted by desrochesbm11 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:41PM EDT Report Abuse

Love chatchecker !!! However I completely agree that doing it behind your kids back is horrible. Use the program for prevention of inappropriate behaviour by having your kids know about it, don't use it to snoop ! Make clear rules with your kids. Example, I have promised my kids not to read their IM's. If I'm sent an alert (an email saying my child or who they are talking to has said something inappropriate) I discuss the problem with my child directly and together we view the corresponding IM chat log. Chat checker showes when I have read a IM chat log so I can prove to my kids that I'm not snooping ! Therefore I have the security of knowing my kids are safe and my kids have the security that I'm not easedropping on their social lives.

9 Posted by blackroses220 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:08PM EDT Report Abuse

Parents should not spy on their children's IM chats. Period. If a parent determines that a child is old enough to be granted permission to use instant messaging, they should also be granted the trust to use it without their parents reading every exchange.

10 Posted by mfstadel on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:17PM EDT Report Abuse

I invite anyone interested to read the following: SmartMoney - September 2007 "WEB NIGHTMARE: What Your Kids Are Saying About You" You might think twice about the spying thing.....

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