Your teenager and your PC

A well supervised PC is a happy PC.

Step 1.  Talk to your kids

PC problems are best prevented at the kitchen table, not the keyboard. 

1. During dinner, ask your kids how their friends use their respective PCs.  Focus on both productive and inappropriate usage.  You will eventually learn what your kids are doing.

2. Typical teenage activities include sending/receiving email, instant messaging, playing video games, and downloading music.  Ask your kids for a demonstration of each of these.  You will learn a lot - and will probably be startled when you learn what your kids are doing.

3. Ask your children if the family PC they use is working properly - or not.  Never assume everything is OK if they don’t complain.  Ask questions!

Step 2.  Seize control of every family PC

Don’t let your children set up the new PC or install software without parental oversight.

1. If you don’t know how to set-up a new PC, LEARN.  It’s easy. 

2. Establish a “Mom and Dad” or “Family” account on EVERY family PC.  This account must be  password-protected with Windows ADMINISTRATIVE capabilities - and for parental use only.  Use this account to install new programs.

3. All children should be setup as Windows LIMITED users.  This will prevent them from installing new software.  Kids can download music MP3 files - they are harmless. 

4. Installing advertising-sponsored music and gaming software is the source of most PC programs.  Unless you carefully read all software terms and conditions, avoid free programs.

5. You must give great thought to allowing your child to have a PC in their bedroom.  Many now get laptops when they turn 13.  Wireless networks now place email and instant messaging behind your child’s closed bedroom door.

6. Never let children fix PC problems.  They can be both fearless and clueless.  Get professional assistance.

Step 3.  Review PC programs and content

Obvious problems are right in front of you - on your child’s PC screen, called the Desktop.

1. Review each child’s PC Desktop and look for new programs.  If you find new programs that you did not permit, your child has regained control of the PC.  If so, go back to Step 1.  You’re in trouble.

2. Use the Windows SEARCH capability and locate all movie/video files.  Pornography video files may be found here. 

3. Your children must provide you with ALL of their passwords.  Verify that they are correct.

4. Make sure your antivirus software is working properly and your virus definitions are up to date.  Use Windows Update to upgrade your PC to Windows XP Service Pack 2.

5. Use Control Panel Add/Remove Programs feature to remove unnecessary and problematic software.

This article may be reproduced with permission of Fred Litt, Family Technology Associates. Contact Fred at 201-315-4943 fred@FamilyTechnology.com for details.