How do I block Myspace from my computer?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-11-2003
How do I block Myspace from my computer?
14
Mon, 05-07-2007 - 1:26pm
My 14 yo DD has a myspace account which I found by accident. I want to begin blocking it from my computer without her knowledge. I want to avoid confrontation with her at this point and just make her think something is going on with the computer. I have noticed a virus which was caught by my PC-Cillin software. It was a video and it was probably from her being my myspace. I have windows XP and she has her own user account. Thanks.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2007
Mon, 05-07-2007 - 3:32pm
I'm not all that computer savvy, but does your Internet service provider have parental controls, where you can block websites containing certain words (such as "myspace") or even certain web addresses? We use a service called Netgear that allows us to block any sites containing objectionable words that we select.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2003
Mon, 05-07-2007 - 9:13pm

OOOHHHH, I know this one!!!

Heheheheeee

Go into your control panel. Double click on internet options. Select the Privacy tab. Select the "Site" button under the slide bar. That is where you can select to block or allow a specific site.

HTH

Sallie

Avatar for coldfingers
Community Leader
Registered: 04-30-2000
Tue, 05-08-2007 - 1:31pm

I am going to suggest from experience....

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2007
Tue, 05-08-2007 - 3:25pm
Is there anything that would prevent the daughter from going into the control panel and resetting it so she can get into the websites anyway? As I mentioned, we use a service called Netgear. It requires a password in order to change the settings. I'm curious whether you can "password protect" the settings through the control panel too.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2003
Tue, 05-08-2007 - 7:12pm

I don't think you can password protect the control panel but it would take a pretty savvy teenage girl to know to even go check there.

The only thing is that if someone is *that* determined to have a myspace account they can set one up and use it from a friend's house or from the public library or a local internet cafe.

Know what I did? I set up my own myspace account and insisted my daughter add me to her "friend list". Then I can see whatever she is up to and she knows she has to behave appropriately. I also insisted she add her account with privacy settings so only friends can access it.

Its a good way to teach someone to be responsible and considerate about what they are posting online. Basically if she wouldn't want me to see it, she shouldn't be posting it!!! And that should apply whether or not I can actually see it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2004
Wed, 05-09-2007 - 1:35am
With windows XP, go to "my computer"
dbbl click the C drive, then "windows", then "system32", then "drivers", then "etc"
dbbl click the hosts file, open with notepad.
Add the following line to the text file:
127.0.0.1 www.myspace.com
Close and save the file. Make sure you don't add an extention after the hosts filename.
If your using a router, replace 127.0.0.1 (the default localhost) with your router IP address.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-14-2006
Wed, 05-09-2007 - 6:53am

I'm going to go in a different direction than other posters

Why do you need to block MySpace? Why lie to your daughter, instead of showing and teaching honesty? Why prevent it, rather than teaching her responsible Internet use?

I don't understand this approach to parenting. If you have concerns about MySpace, talk about them with your DD. Give her reasonable limits. Tell her you're going to check on the page. Tell her why MySpace can be a problem. If it's virus related, tell her that.

As one poster above said - saying "NO" doesn't work. She'll go on at a friends, at the library, when you're not home.....

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-1999
Wed, 05-09-2007 - 7:11am

I'm with you luv_l_and_s, IMO, in the long run, using the existance of the myspace account as a teaching tool for internet safety and appropriateness will do DD a greater service than simply banning the site. DD is young, at home, and under her parents' supervision now, but in just a few short years (and believe me, they will feel VERY short) she will be 18, on her own, possibly away at college.... and 18 y/o college students have been known to get into a whole lot of trouble online too. Maybe the ones that haven't been taught how to use the internet appropriately when they are younger.

My kids all have myspace accounts, including my DD 15 who has had one for a while already, which I monitor on a regular basis. Technological parental controls are a very poor replacement for flesh and blood parental controls. ;)
Rose

Avatar for coldfingers
Community Leader
Registered: 04-30-2000
Wed, 05-09-2007 - 10:22am

You can talk to them about the hazzards of Myspace till you are blue in the face..

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Avatar for jbgattuso
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-29-2003
Wed, 05-09-2007 - 10:46am

Here is how we have handled myspace. Both my teenage boys have them. The rule is, if they have one, I have their account names and passwords. There myspace's are set to private. I check them once a day. Although, sometimes the boys get upset, because they think I am too controlling....it works :) I have found it very helpful to be able to read bulitins and messages to and from their friends. I know more about kids they are hanging out with in school and such, not just the regulars that come to our house etc...

It's working for us, just thought I would throw my 2 cents in.

Julie

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