Saturday, October 23, 2004

How Parents Can Be IM Watchdogs  Some 41 percent of all Internet users use IM to communicate in real time, according to comScore Media Metrix, a research group that measures Internet demographics. Among users ages 12 to 17, the proportion is even bigger: 55 percent.  Conscientious parents are careful about whom their children associate with, but many of the tried and true methods of monitoring behavior are ineffective when it comes to the Internet.  But there are tools that allow parents to monitor and restrict children's use of instant messaging services. Controls range from blocking access to limiting your child's contacts, or even controlling what can be typed in an instant message window. The best protection strategy depends on the type of IM system your children use. 9:45:33 AM    comment []