Is This How To Be Net Safe?

I have mixed feelings about this. I’ve had the site bookmarked for quite a while but couldn’t decide what I think about it. I’m going to share it because it just may help someone.

BeNetSafe is an online service that claims to protect your kids on social networking sites like MySpace, Friendster, Facebook, etc. According to the site, they track your child’s internet activity and alert you when there is mention of sex, drugs or other things that are cause for concern.

The site claims to be totally discreet. It claims the kid won’t know.

If you are a parent who knows much less about your computer than your kids know, then maybe this is something that you would want to consider. I have to warn you though that the biggest danger in something like this is the false sense of security that you may get. You still have to watch what your kids do. You still have to be alert.

I’m not sure I like the idea of spying on my kids with this kind of software. I try to keep track of what they do online. They know that I know more about computers than they do so they arent’ going to fool me when I do look around their machines. Yes, I’d like to throw up a huge virtual canvas tent for the kids to play under while online, keeping them all safe and secure. But that isnt’ going to happen. Hopefully, I can keep them safe by staying alert. Others may want to try this type of service. If you do, please report back and tell me how it works. I’m interested to know more about it.