Topic: This I why I rarely use my PC anymore

[manitoba1073]

well im 31 and i pretty much learned what i know myself  from tickering with broken computers. ofcourse i've been playing around with them since the days of the old TRS-80's but  hey. no schooling or nothing all self taught. lucky for me i am a quick learner.

[Dash Jones]

Well, to tell the truth, my parents have all sorts of ideas about what type of people are on the internet, safety of the internet, and lots of other items.  They like to know what I've been up to and what I've been doing.  It may seem a little sticky, and a little annoying, but though I do get a little upset, I know they do it because they care.  They are of the brand of the observant relatives.  They make sure they know what we are doing and what we are involved in.  My uncle doesn't regulate internet use that heavily, just checks up to see where I've been.  My parents on the otherhand, believe anything over 30 minutes a day is unhealthy unless it's for business...they heavily believe one has better uses of their time. 

So to say the least, when my parents are around, I am on the computer a lot less, and almost live on the computer when I'm by myself, or at my uncles, and it's somewhere in between that when I'm with other relatives.

[Clark Kent]

I guess what it boils down to is you need to ask yourself (and answer yourself, not us), whether you do anything risky or innapropriate on the computer.  Have you ever been caught going to a site of il repute?  Have you ever gone to a site of il repute?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, your family might be right in their actions.  If the answer is no to all of the above (answer to yourself, not us), then it's not a matter of care, it's a matter of a lack of trust. 
OF course, this is just my opinion, take it or leave it as you see fit.  If you'd like to discuss this further, let me know, but I'm a bit worried about this getting out of hand and turning into a flame fest.  As I said, this is my opinion, nd I'd hate to see this turn into an argument over a simple difference of opinion.

[KBF-Angel Slayer]

Now the old mans point of view:  Who owns the computer?  Whose internet is it on, and who pays the bills?  Why do I say it that way?  Because here in the states, you get caught with kiddy porn, the homeowner is the one who gets their butt in a sling.

[Clark Kent]

If you can't trust your kids to use the computer unsupervised, then why let them in the first place?  If you can't trust your kids on the computer, then don't let them use it, at least don't let them use it without being present.
If the old man feels so strongly that he needs to check the computer to that level, then maybe he should reconsider letting the kid use it in the first place.

[Iceman]

My parents used to check up on me. Then I turned 16, and told them it was invasion of privacy.  it didn't go over well but it worked eventually.   I wouldnt exactly advise this though.

[KBF-Angel Slayer]

No insult to the youth, Clark.  The point I am trying to make is, most of us make our biggest and dumbest mistakes when we are young.  It isn't a matter of trust, I trust my kids, but I also am well aware of youthful indescretion.  I think most kids are good.  Unfortunately, part of being a parent is choosing to either be proactive or reactive.
   I'd rather be proactive and catch something before it becomes a problem.  It isn't anything else. 

[Clark Kent]

I'd say that's a matter of trust as well.  Sometimes you can mean well and not be looking for trouble, but still can't be trusted to not get into trouble. 

[Dracho]

LOL.... my dad's answer to that would have been, "Privacy is something that you get when you are living someplace you're making the payments on.  i.e. Not here in MY house.  Any other questions?"

My parents used to check up on me. Then I turned 16, and told them it was invasion of privacy.  it didn't go over well but it worked eventually.   I wouldnt exactly advise this though.

[Clark Kent]

LOL.... my dad's answer to that would have been, "Privacy is something that you get when you are living someplace you're making the payments on.  i.e. Not here in MY house.  Any other questions?"

Apparently he feels the same way about respect too.

[jualdeaux]

I personally like the way the parents of the Columbine shooters respected the privacy of their kids. Don't you agree Clark?

[Clark Kent]

Can't really speak to that since I don't know much about columbine.

[Alidar Jarok]

If something goes wrong...you can bet who will get blamed (yep...that's right...me).

If something goes wrong, I get blamed too, but its not like they have a clue how it works anyway. 

Anyway, it seems this thread might not be about this anymore 

I think trust is important.  My parents don't exactly trust what I do (for no real reason, they just assume that anything they do is perfectly safe, while going to any site, including this one, will probably put a computer virus on our computer ).  Which is partly why I'm glad I got my own Laptop with wireless connection (also because I won't have to share a computer ). 

I definately think there should be some limit to privacy of a child (a parent should be concerned about someone's safety), but there are situations when a parent should be able to say what things on the internet a child cannot do, and than trust them to not do it.

Anyway, speaking of parents, last week my parents did something that really pissed me off.  They .... <Post edited by Responsible Parents>










Nah, I'm just kidding.  Like I said, my parents trust me.  They don't have to be watching over my sholder