When Should I Install Monitoring Software?

Parents are being bombarded with information on this subject. Two weeks ago we heard of a boy in Australia who retaliated after being bullied for many years, and the video was uploaded to YouTube.

Last week we saw images of two girls at a North Island school in a vicious fight, including one taking kicks to the head that left her bleeding from the ears.

We also saw the launch of a mobile monitoring product for cell phones, and a debate around whether it was right or wrong for a parent to install.

WebSafety NZ has sold internet monitoring and cell phone monitoring software for some time. Both products have been tested, and are well placed for the New Zealand market.

Children are still learning how to conduct themselves in the electronic world, and will do for some time. They have got a long way to go.

Parents have a responsibility to provide guidance to children in how to behave appropriately, in that electronic world. However, many parents are not aware of the risks the internet poses, nor are they aware of how damaging and hurtful it can be, when it all goes horribly wrong.

Whether it is to protect or prevent the content they may be viewing, the content they may be posting, the people they may be in contact with and what they are saying to them, or the way children are conducting themselves in the electronic world, PARENTS NEED TO BE AWARE.

We have one of the highest suicide rates in the world, and just like any other country, cyber bullying is rife. Young girls make themselves vulnerable by taking semi naked photos of themselves and sending them to boyfriends, potentially destroying their reputation in the process.

Boys are receiving images from girls that could be classed as child pornography.

As a parent, it is not about spying on our children. It’s about having the tools at hand to identify any threats, issues or unacceptable behaviour, so we can address them in a responsible way and help our children understand positive behaviour in today’s digital world.

WebSafety NZ installs monitoring software on home computers and mobiles both locally or remotely. They can be contacted at: www.websafety.co.nz