Parental Monitoring in the Technology Age Part 2
As we went over in Part 1 of Parental Monitoring, technology is here to stay. It has taken the world, and especially the Christian home, by storm. Once again, let me say that I am not against technology. In fact, just today I was online for quite a while tweeting and responding to some Facebook messages. But, let’s be honest. The average Christian teenager knows more about technology than their parents ever will. I don’t believe this is best or healthy for a young person who is trying to do right in a world full of impurity.
We have already talked about cell phones and Facebook. Let me also say that there are many other social networking sites out there that a parent should familiarize themselves with (ning, classmates, linkedin, etc…) In this segment, I want to take on Twitter (my new favorite site) and the internet in general.
1. Twitter
What in the world is Twitter? That’s what I heard for months! It seems that society is finally catching on to this phenomenon. Twitter is a simple status update site that begs you to answer one simple question: “What are you doing?” with 140 characters or fewer. I will be honest with you, when I first started tweeting, I thought it was pointless. But after a few months of it, I have become addicted! I have linked my Twitter status updates with my Facebook status updates! How simple is that!!! Twitter is super-popular among adults and business people. It has yet to catch on with the teenage crowd…In my opinion, it’s because Twitter does not giveteens a place to flaunt their inappropriate pictures and lifestyle as much as other sites do. Twitter has even not targeted the early to mid 20 year olds either. It is pretty much for the late 20’s to early 40’s business person.
My advice to parents: If your kids want a Twitter account, that’s not the worst thing in the world. It is the cleanest of all sites. Warning though…they may get bored! Ha ha!
2. Internet Use
I have one thing to say about teens and internet use: Covenant Eyes
I don’t need to sit here and explain the temptations of the internet. The internet has become “sin on demand.” You can find anything you want (uncensored) simply by googling it!
My advice: Coventant Eyes. This program offers a strict internet filter…which is great. However, they take it a step further. You can find an accountability partner and sign up for their Internet Accountability Report program. This costs under $8 a month. Basically, a detailed report of your internet usage is sent to your accountability partner’s email address on a regular basis…and vice versa. What a great way to make the internet a safer place for your children….just as important…what a great way to make the internet a safer place for you the parent, the family, etc…
If I had the internet at my house, my wife and I would DEFINITELY have the Covenant Eyes program installed. Our church ministries are strongly considering adding this to all the church computers….just to keep things above reproach. I hope you can appreciate the fact that I don’t trust myself…I don’t trust you…when it comes to the internet. It’s a tangled web (web…ha ha) that sucks you in.
Visit the Covenant Eyes website and consider using their products. You’ve only got one shot at raising your child purely. Use all the available help you can get!