• First off, ask your child’s MySpace URL address
• Log on to that web address and go to its blog section and click on “view all blog entries”.
• Right click on the URL or web address located at the box on top and click copy
• Go to this site: http://makedatamakesense.com/myspace/ and paste your copied URL
• Click on “create RSS”
• You would be directed to a page where you have to copy the web address.
• On your feed reader, (you can get this for free on blog sites) add the feed that you just copied.

This process just made you a subscriber to your kid’s MySpace blog.

This neat procedure would not only allow you to read your kid’s blog entries, but you can actually edit them too. Make sure that their blog don’t expose their personal information such as complete name and home address.

Another advice- it is always a good thing that parent’s create their own MySpace profile and comment on their kid’s page every now and then just to make them feel your presence.

This software can limit the amount of time your kid can use the Internet or play PC games. You can also set the specific time of the day when your kid can use the computer. It works like a time cop and would send signals when “time is up”. With such a feature, your kid cannot spend long hours in front of the computer even if he wants to.

TimesUpKidz is very user-friendly for parents. You can fill up a simple form that schedules your kid’s computer use on weekdays or weekends. You can also opt to customize the schedule of use for each day of the week. You can also set a “break time” for every use.

TimesUpKidz can work on Windows XP or Windows Vista. It’s has a strong password security so only you can open the software and modify its settings. If you want to test drive this parental control software, you can take advantage of its free 30-day trial offer. If you decide to purchase the software, you can get it for only $29.95.

Recently I came across Application Blocker Pro from Amplusnet http://www.amplusnet.com/applicationblocker/internet-parental-control.htm . Considering that we are talking about a new product I took the time to evaluate the product and see what it is capable of.

The installation it is easy and at the end of it a password protected user interface it loads. The user interface looks very professional (I personally like the colors) and provides accurate information (tips) about the usage.

The product main features are: block access to applications and web sites and monitor computer usage. The email reporting is a function that I personally like a lot and I can tell for sure that it worked for my gmail account.

I have used the trial application for 5 days and I can say that the purchase price $29.95 is fair for the features provided. The product provides many features that only other products which are more expensive provide and this is definitely a big plus. We will provide soon – by the end of this month (November 2008) a comparison chart of parental control software that might be useful for our readers.

Enjoy!

As they become more independent and older you can allow them to have their own email address. There are still options however though so you can still see the mail being received and sent in the family inbox. This way you can ask you children about any suspicious emails they are receiving or replying to. There is lots of spam emails being sent to every email created and you should set-up a spam filter for your child’s email. This will save a lot of hassles from any unwanted mail you don’t want your child receiving. You can also set filters for fraudulent looking emails trying to capture personal details to be used for fraud.

It’s also important when you allow your child to open their first email account that you set some rules for them and make sure they are aware of the possibilities of fraud, illegal emails, spam, etc. Make sure they know to delete any suspicious emails from addresses they don’t recognize. Once they are into their teenager years this becomes more evident to your child and you won’t need to check up on them as much. Email accounts are very important in today’s society so teaching your children how to use email is very key step in learning the ropes of today’s technology.