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content filtering for a 14 y.o.

M

macs4usall

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 19, 2006
6
0
All-
I need help - I have a 14 y.o. daughter who'd rather chat and surf the web all the time rather than spend time in her books doing homework. I'm looking for a good solution that allows a certain amount of time she can be online and does NOT allow chat at all. I've tried Content Barrier in the past, but the user interface is a bit unwieldy. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
cheers-
Jay
 
Chances are if she's any bit smart with computers, she'll find a way around a blocker.

I'd recommend created an account for her with limited permissions (can't use AIM/Adium/MSN Messenger/etc) and not allow her to download applications (so she can't go and find another messenger client). And then, you'll also want to block some webpages such as AIM Express, MySpace, etc.

When you don't mind her using the computer to chat, let her use the regular account (but don't give her the password!).
 
From the now wastelanded thread:

Steve1496 said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesnt System Preferences allow you to restrict her not to use iChat?
Click to expand...

Yepp.

Under accounts, you can choose which applications she can use. That at least stops her chatting.
 
One problem with that Plymouth. You can change any password if you start the computer up in single user mode, including the root password. I'm 15 and i know how to do it so she might as well.
 
®îçhå®? said:
One problem with that Plymouth. You can change any password if you start the computer up in single user mode, including the root password. I'm 15 and i know how to do it so she might as well.
Click to expand...
Sure, so do I, I'm 16. But, I if she's that smart, he mind as well give up and just monitor her himself. I doubt she's a serious computer buff like some of us here on the forums, but simple blockers are fairly easy to get around even for a novice.
 
Kingsly. Not sure about that program but in energy saver, go to schedule and you can put a switch off time on the computer so that it turns off a say 20:00 every night
 
edesignuk said:
Check out SafeEyes, we use the windows version for my brother. It's fantastic.
Click to expand...
eh, I have it installed on all my machines. It's OK, I guess. It freezes sometimes and when that happens you can't get back on the internet until you restart.
 
io_burn said:
Software isn't a replacement for parenting. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
ditto-

that's a big topic to think about
even just sitting down & having a big chat w/ her...etc
good idea-

i realize she's a teen & not gonna wanna open up everything to you-
but @ the same time- there is a lot of 'net' stuff going on right now in the news
about myspace & LJ...etc

NPR, ABC, USATODAY all did stories on it recently-
worth looking into-

but- opening up a conversation w/ her about internet saftey
& about responsibile internet posting...etc
(oh yea- my phone # is...)
(oh yea- i'm wearing....)

but also talking about how easy it is to gain access to that 'personal' information- esp through things like facebook, LJ, xanga...etcs

anyhow- i ramble
 
io_burn said:
Software isn't a replacement for parenting. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
OK, but, parents shouldn't have to be over there child's shoulder every second; especially when they grow older.

My dad says he trusts me, but he's just checking to make sure that I'm following the "right path."
 
she has worked around it in the past by starting up netscape and using the java chat function in it. I'm wondering if I can block the chat ports on her account?

The iChat application can be turned off with the system preferences, but once again, that doesn't prevent her from using, for example, java chat via a browser. previous versions of Mac OS X allowed me to prevent her from using whole applications, as well as turning off java.

she doesn't know how to get into single-user mode, so I'm not too worried about that.
 
and for those who have suggested parenting may be a root cause, don't even go there. I've talked to her about her responsibilities, etc etc etc.
 
macs4usall said:
and for those who have suggested parenting may be a root cause, don't even go there. I've talked to her about her responsibilities, etc etc etc.
Click to expand...

Then you shouldn't need to buy software. Simple Google searches provide even simpler instructions to get around any auto-parenting program.
 
Disable Single User Mode

It seems to be possible to disable single user mode (if that's useful)

http://www.securemac.com/disablemacosxsingleboot.php

I have to admit though that my view on blocking is that it's really annoying (when its done on you!) and generally stops genuine web use too.

You could simply stop her using the computer at all when shes working or doing homework, or does she need the internet?
 
Her behavior isn't uncommon. I'm meant to be doing a timed English essay only taking 45 minutes. I have been surfing the forums and have only written half a page in 3 hours!!
 
macs4usall said:
and for those who have suggested parenting may be a root cause, don't even go there. I've talked to her about her responsibilities, etc etc etc.
Click to expand...
i wasnt' saying you've done anything wrong
nor saying you needed to do more-

just saying - it is an important discussion-
& has been in the media a lot lately

getting a software that helps the situation is a great idea-
 
Eraserhead said:
It seems to be possible to disable single user mode (if that's useful)

She does not know how to access single user mode as previously stated but you can get into it via Terminal. You cant stop this easily
Click to expand...
 
macs4usall said:
All-
I need help - I have a 14 y.o. daughter who'd rather chat and surf the web all the time rather than spend time in her books doing homework. I'm looking for a good solution that allows a certain amount of time she can be online and does NOT allow chat at all. I've tried Content Barrier in the past, but the user interface is a bit unwieldy. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
cheers-
Jay
Click to expand...


I don't mean to tell you how to be a parent. However, if you tell your daughter not to use a program, and she still does, the problem is not your parental settings. The real problem is that your daughter does not listen to you.

In addition, adding parental settings only distances the trust between your you and your daughter.

I suggest you focus your efforts on trust. Never give up!
 
What my parents do is come up to check on me every hour but are really quiet about it so that i cannot hear them. When they look in and I'm not working, they play the *disappointed parent* card which makes me think about what i am doing. Try it.
 
®îçhå®? said:
When they look in and I'm not working, they play the *disappointed parent* card which makes me think about what i am doing. Try it.
Click to expand...
Given the fact that you're still on the forums and not working on your English essay, I'd suggest that this tactic doesn't work that well... ;)
 
You do have a point but i have now done 1 page. 1/2 page in 10 minutes!!!! Better than 1/2 page in 3 hours
 
Jaffa Cake said:
Given the fact that you're still on the forums and not working on your English essay, I'd suggest that this tactic doesn't work that well... ;)
Click to expand...

Ironically as I read this, I should be writing my history coursework..
 
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