Despite being a powerful research tool for millions of teens struggling to finish those dreaded school reports and essays, the Internet does have a dark side. Parents know that the web can be used to visit all manners of x-rated and other nefarious sites. Some teens are even tech-savvy enough to enter the Dark Web, where criminals and predators can lurk. All the more reason to monitor their Internet usage. So how can you properly monitor your teen’s web activities? Here are some suggestions.
Check the Browser History
The simplest way to see the sites your teen has been visiting is to open up their browser history. Internet browsers compile a record of every site they’ve visited. If they’re using Chrome, click on the wrench button in the upper right and choose “History.” You can also bring up the history log by pressing Ctrl+H while the browser is active. If your teen is using Internet Explorer, their browsing history can be accessed using the “Tools” menu.
The sites visited history log will be listed in reverse chronological order. This lets you see the sites they’ve visited by simply scrolling down the list. Some computer-savvy teens have learned to conceal their browsing activities by deleting them from the History log. In these cases, you’ll need to employ alternate tactics to monitor their web activities.
The Wireless Router Approach
Fortunately, some wireless routers have the ability to log the sites your teen has visited on the web. To implement this strategy, you’ll have to access your router by entering its IP address into your router’s address bar. Your IP address can be found by opening a command window (run CMD.exe in Windows) and typing in ipconfig/all. The IP address will be shown under the “Default Gateway” heading. You may need to enter a password, which you can locate by visiting the manufacturer’s website or checking the box or package that came with your router. When you have accessed your router, click on “Logs” to view your network’s activity. Routers are becoming more flexible and parent-friendly these days, letting you set up a list of blocked sites that will be inaccessible by your teen’s computer. Remember to change the password to prevent your teen from modifying your new privacy settings.
Software Approach
There are several programs you can install that will provide a detailed history of the sites your teen has visited. These programs even track the interactions your teen has engaged in while browsing. One such program is SafetyWeb, which tracks activity on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. You are sent an alert when the program detects explicit content in messaging. SafetyWeb will also alert you if your teen is either a victim or perpetrator in cyber-bullying activities or is being approached by adult predators. Other teen monitoring programs to consider include SocialShield to notify you if someone tries to connect with your teen and McGruff SafeGuard, which lets you remotely monitor your teen’s web conversations.
