Keystroke software?
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Keystroke software?
| Tue, 02-13-2007 - 12:18pm |
Someone from another board directed me here as the place to ask for computer software that tracks what's been typed.
My 13yo Step daughter was hiding the fact that she had a myspace page, erased the history on the computer, deleted the link out of my favorites folder and lied to my face about it.
If anyone cane give me info or a name for this program, I would really appreciate it!
Thanks!
Liz

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The software we used records all AIM conversations, mypace, e-mails, keystrokes, etc. It also takes screen snapshots every so many seconds. I've had it on my computer for at least 3 years now and DD doesn't know it exists.
I must caution you though b/c you may find out somethings you would really rather not know. For instance, what will you do if you find out that her best friend (your best friend's DD) is going to lie to her mom and meet her b/f at a motel for the night? If you tell your friend, she might tell her DD that you told her and this would be the end of the kid's friendship plus your DD would want to know how you knew. But can you look the other way.
We put it on our computer b/c DD had an ex b/f that was stalking her and this posed a serious threat to her physical safety. She was hiding alot of this from us and this was the only way we could really know what was going on. It's the same computer and I've just never really taken it off. I also caught DD trying to sell some prescription painkillers. The deal was made through AIM. AIM was taken off our home computer and stayed gone for over a year.
It sounds to me like you and DH need to address that this is your home and you guys set the rules. She's old enough to keep 2 sets of rules straight. When we had AIM, the rule was you let me see whenever I ask or it goes it away (especially at that age).
My DD was very secretive and I wish you alot of luck!
Thanks for relating your experience.
My DH and I will be having many conversations on this subject over the next few days while we work out where we want to stand on this. After assuring me that he was monitoring her but then admitting that he did not realize that a computer tracked it's history and that anyone could erase it, I'm skeptical to say the leaast. When I got on this morning (10am, schools were closed so my SD had last night and this morning) I showed him the history JUST for today and by 10am she had already been IM-ing, checked her 2 email accounts and visited 20+ blogs. It was a little sobering for him.
Putting this software on and only using it to see who she's IM-ing and emailing would be all I'd really need to see - not read everything. The ability to see her myspace page and quickly monitor pictures would be good too.
I'm still thinking about it. My DH does not want to go this route but IMHO he's got the blinders on BIG TIME when it comes to his daughter.
Liz
It is a difficult decision and one that we struggled with as well. Should you decided to install the software, please keep in mind that often teens (and adults) use the Internet to blow off steam and frequently will blow things out of proportion to build sympathy from their peers. She may tell her friends what monsters her parents are simply b/c you made her take out the trash. You will have to grow a very thick skin. After a while, I began to think my DD completely hated me. The thing is - they don't post the good stuff! You will also find out things that you will want to confront her about but you won't be able to b/c she will figure out that you are monitoring the computer. She may even post a lie just to see if you take the bait. It's a very fine line that you will be walking.
I don't regret doing it. I have no doubt DD would have been physically injured by her ex if we hadn't gotten the software b/c she would be told about his threats but she would ignore them. Once I learned of them, I would call school and have them watch out for him. He was caught a couple of times in areas of the school he shouldn't have been in "just passing through" - funny how DD was always there. He tampered with her car once - luckily I was driving it when it the back wheel slipped!
Regardless of whether or not I installed the software, I would definitely work on outlining the rules for computer usage in your home. You and DH have to lay that out for her and make it clear that any violation of those rules will result in no computer access for a while!
Good luck!
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