The Single Parent vs. The PC (Round 1)

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So you are a single parent in an age where kids have access to tons more information than we did when we were younger. Kids today have the supercharged internet. They have Social Networks, such as MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter.

So you are a single parent in an age where kids have access to tons more information than we did when we were younger. Kids today have the supercharged internet. They have Social Networks, such as MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter. Most of the kids today have Wireless phones, and know how to use them. Today we are going to cover ways you can use the very same technology to protect your children, and give yourself peace of mind when you’re not able to be with them.

First let’s cover how you can keep your kids from seeing the things that having them ask uncomfortable questions at the dinner table. There are several ways to limit the access your kids have to the internet. Some of them are Free and some of them are a monthly service.

First the free stuff: In Microsoft Windows: Vista there are built in Parental Controls that let you filter the web sites they can go to, you can set the times they are allowed to use the computer, You can allow access to or block access to specified programs, and you can also control what kind of games they can play on the PC as well. Now I am sure there are other free options out there, however I feel that using the stuff that was built in is the best option for the free portion of this educational trip.

Here are some programs that will cost ya, but are very good for the money. To start off the list is CyberPatrol, it will cost about $40 per year. This product has similar features to the built in parental controls that Vista has, however this gives you the bonus of being able to access it remotely. However if you have more than one computer in the house, you will need to purchase multiple copies.
Next is Safe Eyes 5.0 again this is going to be similar to the other products I have mentioned the annual cost is $50 per year, however unlike CyberPatrol you can install this product in up to 3 PC’s. Also any changes you make during remote access get applied immediately.

So there you have it, just a few tools to help out the single parent. Next time we will cover how to use your kids wireless phones as tracking devices, and other options you have to limit use should the need arise.

Richard JaramilloRichard “RJ” Jaramillo, is the Founder of SingleDad.com,
a website and social media resource dedicated to single parenting and specifically for the newly divorced, re-married, widowed and single Father with children.
RJ is self employed, entrepreneur living in San Diego and a father of three children. The mission of SingleDad is to help the community of Single Parents
“Make Life Happen…Again!”

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Richard “RJ” Jaramillo, is the Founder of SingleDad.com, a website and social media resource dedicated to single parenting and specifically for the newly divorced, re-married, widowed and single Father with children. RJ is self employed, entrepreneur living in San Diego and a father of three children. The mission of SingleDad is to help the community of Single Parents “Make Life Happen…Again!”