This topic may seem like old news to some, but to those of us who spend lots of time on the computer and also wonder how we are ever going to handle our children’s computer use, this is a big deal.  Lisa Whelchel - yes, the same woman who starred in The Facts of Life that many of us watched as kids - is an author/devoted mother, and she has some advice to offer in this area.

According to Lisa’s article, keep the computer in a public area of your home.  Giving them a PC in their room is only asking for trouble.  Then, make sure the kids know that their usage will be checked by a parent.  Mom and Dad need to get over the feeling that the child’s privacy is being invaded, and execute the appropriate monitoring to make sure everyone is visiting the sites that are on the “ok” list.  It may seem brutal, but it is better than finding out the hard way that the trust you thought you shared was your own illusion.