Websites that Police Your Childs Online Activity

Online social networking is one of the ways teens relate
to each other and create personal bonds.

The digital age. Even if you aren't on Facebook, MySpace, iGoogle or Twitter, it is almost certain that your children will be, if they aren't already. Preteens, teenagers and young adults are far more tech-savvy then the 40, 50 or 60 something generation. It is the way they learn, interact, and even date. And if they aren't on one of the more popular online social networks, it is only a matter of time before they plug into another one looming on the horizon; waiting to be discovered. Perhaps even one with a portal . . . now isn't that frightening.


Because this online social networking craze elevated the need for automated parental control systems, there are now websites and software programs available to analyze the content on your child's social networking sites. These programs alert you if there are sexual references, profanity, alcohol or drug references, bullying, violence or other acts of solicitation, and some single out "older" people who are not in your child's friend circle or whom others do not know.

Listed below are several monitoring sources we found during our research that were also reviewed by PC Magazine and Top Ten Reviews websites, and although Atronic Alarms, Inc. does not officially endorse or recommend any of these, they may be worth looking into:

ZoneAlarm SocialGuard - A software program specifically for Facebook or Twitter. $19.99 a year.
Minor Monitor - A web based program that is free to use. Must have child's login information.
SafetyWeb - Monitors various social networking sites as well as cell phones. $100.00 a year or $10.00 a month. 
Net Nanny - A Detailed filtering program for PC and Mac to block inappropriate content on sites. $39.99 to $59.99.
Web Watcher - For the stealthy parent who wants to track all activity on a child's computer. $97.00
True Care - 24-hour monitoring for $9.99 a month. Online website to track child's profile on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.
AOL Safe Social - $9.99 a month.

Bottom line: Educate your children on the dangers of online social networking. Let them know that the Internet levels the playing field for the "bad guys" who create web profiles specifically to deceive people. Remind them not to befriend people they don't know and to secure their posts and their photos. The winner isn't the teenager with the most online friends, it is the teenager with the most online safety smarts.

Visit Atronic Alarms, Inc.