This is my first review on behalf of BlogHer as an official BlogHer Reviewer! I'm thrilled that the success of my main review blog, Cool Moms Rule! has brought me to this point, partnering with BlogHer to provide you with this ad-free, BlogHer Review website!
Recently, MySpace announced the removal of over 90, 000 online sex offenders from their site. That's right, up until last week, ninety thousand sex offenders were online with your kids on MySpace, just chatting it up. And that's just the tip of the iceberg--only registered sex offenders, people already in the system, could be identified and removed.
But now your kids are perfectly safe. I'm sure we can all trust those sex offenders not to try anything like that again, right?
Of course I'm not serious. We all worry about our kids being safe online. As good parents, we want to allow our kids access to chatting with their friends, having email accounts and exploring the internet, but we have (obviously well-founded) concerns about letting them roam the internet unsupervised.
Which is why Norton's Online Family is such a valuable asset to parents of kids of all ages. It's a simple to set-up, easy-to-use interface that lets you set safe limits for your kids and monitor their online activity from your own computer.
Here's how Norton's Online Family works:
First, Create your Norton Online Family account.
This is the initial, one-time setup. You won't have to go through these steps again. Basically, you register, choose a login name, and choose one of several generic avatars (just a simple featureless face--mine has a stylish hairdo!).
Then you add your family members. This is an important step, because you will want to take advantage of the Add Another Parent option so that both you and your partner will have access to your family's account. You will also add an avatar for each child.
Next, Install the Safety Minder onto all the computers used in your household.
This step is vital. The Safety Minder is like magic. It enables you to see what your kids are up to on their own computers, as well as allowing you to set the limits you want on their accounts.
Check on your child's activity, anywhere you are.
Once you have set up your Norton Online Family account, you can use any computer to track your child's activity. Just log in to your account, pick your child's avatar and click Activity.
Adjust the Settings to Customize your Norton Online Family preferences
The Settings include Profile, Web, Search, Chat, Social, Time and Notify.
You already set up the Profile for each child, with their avatar.
Use the other Settings to customize your childrens' computer use.
For example, suppose one of your children starts spending so much time on the computer that his grades begin to suffer. Choose Time to limit the time he spends online, or set specific hours during the day when he's allowed to use the computer.
Is your daughter spending too much time socializing? Choosing Web lets you make certain sites (like MySpace!) off limits.
Search lets you know if your kids are searching on disturbing topics you want to address with them, like teen depression or eating disorders, or viewing inappropriate material (which you can also guard against).
With Chat, you can block specific people from your teen's chat sessions.
Social lets you know if your children are accurately stating how old they are on the 'net. This keeps them from entering adult content sites. Personally, I also find the reverse scary--I don't want predators to know how young my kids are. So I would rather they don't share their age info at all whenever possible.
The Notify setting is what makes all of this work for you. You don't have to log in all the time to keep constant vigilance, watching your children like a hawk.
Norton Online Family will email you (or send a text message if you prefer) if your children have reached their time limits, visited a blocked site, or tried to add an unknown stranger as a chat buddy, etc., wherever you are.
I like this because you can be as involved as you want. You can log on all the time or just get messages when you want them. So, if you don't like 'snooping' on your kids, you just set it up so that you are only notified when there's a problem, and then rest easy when those messages don't come in!
Why I recommend Norton Online Family to your family
Bottom line, it's easy to use, and so customizable that it could be a valuable tool for all parents concerned with their kids' online safety. You can change the settings at any time so that they work best for you.
We all hope our kids never run into trouble online. But with Norton Online Family, if there IS a problem, you now have the information you need to open up a dialogue with your child. You can address your concerns while teaching them about important issues like age appropriate content and online safety.
Win an iPod Touch!
Contest Begins
Monday, February 9th!
Contest Begins
Monday, February 9th!
To enter for a chance to win an iPod Touch, please leave me a comment below, telling me how you stay in the loop with your kids and whether this new Norton Online Family software will help you.
For additional entries: Leave a link to your blog post or Twitter message about this contest in a separate comment for an additional entry.
The contest will begin at 12:00 a.m. (PST) on Monday, February 9th and will end Friday, February 13th at 11:59 p.m. (EST). Make sure your email address is valid!
Rules:
- IMPORTANT! I need to send the winner's name and address in to BlogHer on Saturday morning, February 15th because of a prior scheduled commitment. I'll notify the winner on Valentine's Day. You have 24 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected!
- No duplicate comments (see additional entry methods for more chances to win)
- This giveaway is open to U.S. residents
- Winners will be selected by random draw (Random Integer Generator) and will be notified by email.
See the official rules for details:
blogher and norton itouch giveaway rules
Norton Online Family reviews from other BlogHer Reviewers
There's ten reviews in all.
That's ten iPod Touches up for grabs!
I try to stay on top of what my teen is doing by being her Myspace friend, Facebook friend, IM buddy, etc. Whatever she's on, I'm on..and monitoring. But even still, this new Norton product (LOVE Norton, BTW) would help. You can never be too protective of your kiddos and their online time.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fantastic! My kids are monitored by me and husband right now because they are only 3 and 5. I can see this tool being effective in the next couple years when they are more computer literate on their own. What I love is that you can monitor from anywhere. Norton has been our go-to security brand anyway.
ReplyDeletetheewens at gmail dot com
I love the idea behind the product, however my little ones are way to little for us to need that yet. But I can dediantly see the need for familes with older children & will keep it in mind as our need arises.
ReplyDeletemcginnisfamily5(at)gmail(dot)com
I try to stay involved with what my boys are doing on & off the computer by encouraging open communication. But sometimes they're still very tight-lipped. And as they get older, they don't want to include me as their myspace or facebook "friend", so it's tough to stay on top of things. So I love the idea of Norton Online Family -- It would be a great help!
ReplyDeletesince my kids are still quite young, we stay in touch with plan on talking. this would be great for working out though!
ReplyDeleteMy kids are young, but old enough to start using the internet, BUT I am so freaked out about an accidental click here or there, that I either don't let them use it or I have to sit right next to them. The Norton software sounds like I can let my guard down a little, which is actually a huge relief for a neurotic like me!
ReplyDeletekimberlykauer at gmail.com
We already review the IP logs, block specific things at the server, friend our children on social networking sites and get copies of all the children's email. We can't supervise online activity when the children are visiting their grandparents. This software would be perfect for grandparents' houses.
ReplyDeletecathy at domesticpsychology dot com
I strive to achieve the annual "BusyBody Mom Award" when it comes to my kids' internet habits. However, I know I'm not going to see every website they see, every chat post they read. The Norton Safety Minder software might be just the helper I need to keep winning that annual award.
ReplyDeletetweet-a-tweet-tweet!
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/nape9393/status/1192494926
I have a very young son so I'm way ahead of him right now tech wise, but I'm sure in about 20 years I'll be begging for his help. I can only imagine that Norton Online Family would greatly help me out in a few years when he does start using the computer. I watched way too many Datelines, 20/20's etc. to prepare me for some of the online dangers.
ReplyDeleteMy son is only 8, so at the moment we get by with keeping the computer in a common room and checking on him frequently. We've disabled the navigation toolbar on this browser so if he wants to go to a site that isn't bookmarked he needs our help. I'm sure this workaround won't work for much longer, so the Norton software seems like an excellent product when you can't physically be in the room with the child. I spent 6yrs as an online moderator for kids and teens websites so I know what they can get into when not monitored properly by their parents!
ReplyDeleteI tweeted your giveaway!
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/delora/status/1192562338
We don't allow Internet access on the desktop computer. We have younger children, so this works for us. They can access the Internet by using my laptop with supervision.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter can't use the computer on her own yet, but I'm sure she will by the end of this year. I'd love to be able to monitor her while I'm at work because I know her grandma won't know how to prevent her from going to bad sites accidentally.
ReplyDeleteI keep track of with my kids by keeping the computer time to a minimum and keeping the computer in the kitchen (old school I know) That is why I would love an iTouch *ahem* My husband and I are big believers in NO computers in the bedrooms and all activity must be down out in the open. We also have our computer locked so the kids have to ask us to unlock it before they get on. kind of strict I know, but there is just too much out there :)
ReplyDeletetweeted - http://twitter.com/SassyIrishLasie/status/1192941589
blog - http://sassyirishlassie.blogspot.com/2009/02/manic-monday-again.html
I have two little ones, 3 & 1, and their access to the computer is pretty much null. But, I can defintely see the need for the Norton Security in the future. It is definitely our go to for computer safety.
ReplyDeleteI have a 4 year old who I let play games on the computer but I am right by her. But when she gets older I think the norton family program definitely will help montior activity and keep her safe.
ReplyDeletefmd518@inbox.com
I would love an iPod Touch, it would bring me into the correct century! I have a teen and she would say we are overprotective about her internet time. Every social network she is on, I am her friend. The computer is in our kitchen. We have Norton (not the one you are reviewing but I'm thinking an upgrade is in order). We have had a gazillion conversations about internet safety.
ReplyDeleteThis looks great - with an almost 4 year old, staying in touch is not yet an issue! But I think she is going to be way ahead of me with technology
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great service. My older daughter is 7 and we have very tight security settings on the computer for her. She has a few websites that she can view (webkinz, PBS kids) and anything else she tries to open up is blocked until a password is entered in and the site is approved. There is too many sites that open up as pop-ups that we don't want her exposed to. The computer is also in our family room so that we can see what sites are open at any time.
ReplyDeleteI think this will help to see what sites are being visited as a safeguard for anything that might slip through as well as to hold us all accountable to what is being viewed online.
LOL, I totally want to be the coolest commenter! Oh yeah, baby! Right now we only have one computer but just today my 8 year old was saying that he wants his own computer since I'm always on! So I can see that the day is not too far off... Right now our computer is in the kitchen right next to the tv room so I can see it from everywhere. But I can see that Norton's program would be amazing! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI tweeted! Sorry I couldn't fit more words in: http://twitter.com/momnerd/status/1194567547
ReplyDeleteI blogged here: http://sweetgiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/02/safe-computers-for-kids-and-ipod-touch.html
ReplyDeleteCan you tell I really want to win this one? My hubby had his ipod stolen at his school where he teaches and I want to win him one for V-day. Thanks!
I totally use e-mail and the phone to stay connected to the family. I think the Norton softwatre could certainly be of some use around here!! pestkaj(at)yahoo)dot)com
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is 12 and we had purchased some of those prepaid cards to sign up for sites such as Club Penguin and Toon Town. Imagine my surprise when my daughter came to me and said there was someone on the site she didn't think was a child; she said she was sure the person was an adult pretending to be a child. I'm sure she was right.
ReplyDeleteI've been a police dispatcher for 22 years. Times have certainly changed and online predators are just that..predators. They know exactly what to say to your children to worm their way into their lives. They are the masters of manipulation and ANYONE'S child can be a victim. The internet, one of the greatest technological advancements of the 20th century, has become a playground for predators. Unfortunately, there are so many of them that law enforcement is stretched thin..that's where parents make all the difference. If this software saves just one child from becoming a victim, then it's worth whatever the cost. I'd love to install it on my computer to protect my own daughter.
I tweeted:
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/auntiethesis/status/1194593047
tweeted-
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/pestkaj/status/1194589585
I have two children, and right now the oldest is four and a half. She is using my computer, but only for games on nickjr.com and disney.com. I don't have to worry about her interacting with websites and people on the internet, but when she is ready to you better believe I would snap up a program like this. The ability to see what my children are up to without snooping and invading their privacy is DEFINITELY appealing.
ReplyDeleteFor now, I "stay in the loop" by being with my daughter when she is using my computer. :)
(My email address is x@jenn.nu)
I twittered about this: http://twitter.com/kissmykitty/status/1194776983
ReplyDelete(My email address is x@jenn.nu)
The Norton software wont help us yet, Elijah's only 14 weeks! lol but I know when he is old enough to use the computer I will be there monitoring him on top of using this or something similar! I will definitely recommend this to my sister for my niece though! I think it will really help her!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the entry!
~Erin
Twitter: @erinjeany
ejsmomej[at]gmail[dot]com
http://ejsmomej.blogspot.com/
I tweeted http://twitter.com/erinjeany/status/1194811478
ReplyDelete~Erin
Twitter: @erinjeany
ejsmomej[at]gmail[dot]com
http://ejsmomej.blogspot.com/
With 2 teenagers in my house internet safety is super important. My husband and I limit the amount of time they are allowed to be on the computer. We also require them to have one of us as their "friends" for MySpace and facebook.
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that Norton Online Family is a single software that you can put on all computers to make them uniform. We have 3 in our house so that's a big plus.
We are always concerned that there are people out there trying to contact that shouldn't be.
Tina
themadhattermom(at)gmail(dot)com
We've been a little lax in this area, as our boys don't spend much time online. When they do, we're usually in the room. But I knew that we needed to do something - and soon. So I downloaded Norton Online Family last night and am really looking forward to the protection that it will offer. I also love the flexibility that they have and how much they provide.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for providing this review - it really helped.
I am not yet a parent but this information is very helpful for the future (I hope to be a parent in the next year or so!). I was a teenager right at the start of the internet and so I have to admit that I haven't spent a whole lot of time thinking about how to keep kids safe while surfing... this is all good information. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis would be great as my twins are just becoming aware of the internet and want to go on and play games and email friends.
ReplyDeleteI want to keep them safe, as all parents do.
Thanks for the review!
tuesdayef (at) aol dot com
we leave notes on a dry erase board letting each other know where we are and what time we will be home! sometimes I even include whats for dinner on there to entice people to be home for it.
ReplyDeleteMy son is too young for this yet, but I think it's a great product and I know a lot of parents that would really like to have it.
ReplyDeletethanks
adams006 at hotmail dot com
I would love to be able to better track what my son uses the internet for...and to set limits. He is only 6 but he is very familiar with navigating the internet and occasional stumbles upon material he shouldn't simply by misspelling an internet address! I do my best to supervise what he is accessing by keeping my laptop in the kitchen for him to use, i think by keeping it in a room that everyone is in he pretty much stays out of trouble! Thanks for the great contest! I'd love the Touch! lmv311 [at] aol [dot] com
ReplyDeleteI'm always in the room with my grandkids while they are on the computer, always monitoring what they are doing. But yes, this seems like a great tool.
ReplyDeleteterridonnelly@yahoo.com
I have two little one's so I haven't had to contend with this issue yet but this definitely looks like a promising software. Seems starightfoward.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYep, I stay in the loop! Sitting at dinner and talking about what's been "going on" etc., keeping tabs on what they're up to online, etc.
ReplyDeleteI actually already use Norton! :D
contact me at:
celeste@mail4me.com
My daugther isn't at the age where she can use a computer by herself... but believe me when she is I will be using everything avaliable... you can never be too safe!
ReplyDeleteangelinadewey AT yahoo DOT come
My children are young yet. But I would use it anyway. Since my kids are young they are usually with myself or my husband. Thanks for the giveaway! thepettysbc-at-aol-dot-com
ReplyDeleteMy kids are 2 and 3 so I don't really have much use for the software at the moment. But coming up in a few years, I am totally going to find it useful! I hate spying on my kids, but knowing they are safe is also very important to me! My husband would love the iPod, his makes horrible clicking sounds and was also one of the first models made-in a plastic case...remember those?! No one believes it is an iPod!
ReplyDeleteMy kids are so young, we haven't had to worry about the internet with them. My oldest plays on PBSkids at the library and at home sometimes, but always with supervision. He only knows how to type his name and use the mouse, so no problems yet.
ReplyDeleteSomeday soon, though, this would be very helpful. I don't want to take any chances!
The Norton software sounds pretty good. I'm starting to worry about my daughter on-line,and the fact that she is really learning to get around on her own. And so we don't have to sit by her side all the time. But there's the rub! This looks helpful in protecting her. I'm worried about Facebook too! Thanks so much for this review and giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI use Parental Controls through AOL's software and also use the block feature through Windows to block sites and to monitor usage. Norton Online Family sounds wonderful and something I would really use and love!
ReplyDeletemandee220(at)aol(dot)com
My girls are closely monitored (they are ages 13 and 10) with their computer time. They are restricted to Wednesdays and Weekends only and thenonly on approved websites. If they are caught on an unapproved site (Utube, myspace, etc) all computer privellages are stripped for a month. we also have it set up that duplicate emails get sent to my accounts and the girls...so I always know what their friends are saying or forwarding to them online. I really liked the Norton video at the website. I will be looking into it.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are a little young to be online yet, so we're always with them when we let them play on the Sesame Street or Thomas websites. If we didn't they'd probably rip the keys off the keyboards and draw with markers on the screen. I don't think the Norton product can help with physical security. As they get older though, well try starting with the honor system and I can check through history and what-not to see what they're doing. Norton family would be a good second step if we found that they weren't sticking to the plan.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are still quite young, so I keep tabs on them currently by always being in the room when the one who is capable of using the computer is on the net. I'll definitely something like this when they get bigger. For now, Mama's eyeballs are keeping things safe.
ReplyDeleteBeing in the computer business I've been able to keep ahead of the kids (now teenagers) as they've learned and explored online. We've tried to educate our kids about all social situations and how the internet takes away those face-to-face cues and how that can affect your reactions and thinking rather than put restrictions on them. In addition, I've been very clear that no matter where they go, I can find out about it and I've had to prove that before they believed it. But I know not all parents are computer savvy and I can see this software being especially helpful in that case. I can also see it useful for grandparents who worry about the kids on their own computers.
ReplyDeleteI do my best to stay in-the-loop with my kids. I'm lucky enough that I get to be home when they come home from school. We make an effort to have dinner together every night. Hubby and I have learned ways of asking about the day without getting an "ugh" answer.
ReplyDeleteBut with our efforts we were still shocked to find that my oldest Nintendo DS had a microphone which allowed others to connect by Wi-Fi.
While sitting near my child on the computer I heard a voice that sounded odd and my daughter said "Shh!"
What the?!?
That started a very important discussion. We try our best but there are little surprises around every corner, aren't there? I believe this handy little device will help immensely with on-line safety issues.
Ann Again... and again
annharrison@comcast.net
No kids yet, but if I had them I'd definitely moniter their cell phone and internet usage. With all the advances in technology these days it makes you wonder what will be invented next... and how a sex offender can use it to their advantage. It's enough to make you want to become a nun!
ReplyDeleteHeather Yellen
castawaycreations at gmail dot com
I think that this is a great service for families with kids. The internet can be a scary place!
ReplyDeletesquashcakes at yahoo dot com
My son is only 2, so we don't have internet problems yet, but I worry about the day he goes online. My husband is very computer-savvy and I think he'll be able to stay in front of our kids in terms of using technology, which makes me think we'll be able to keep them safe.
ReplyDeleteIt's a scary prospect, though, and security stuff like Norton is a great tool, although certainly not a cure-all.
We let all of our grandchildren use the internet. Our computers are plainly visible in our family room. For our youngest user, we have set up only a few sites for him to use to play learning activities (his favorite is Noggin). Each of our 8 grandkids spend short periods of time at our house and I think we are doing a good job of monitoring so I don't think I would need the product. However, if it was available when my oldest son was growing up, I would definately have gotten it!
ReplyDeleteMy kids are still too young for us to worry about Internet safety, but we will definitely try to stay in the loop by keeping the communication lines open with them and keeping a "young at heart" attitude and mind.
ReplyDeletetreflea4 at gmail dot com
Ohhh, I so wish I had known about this a few years ago when all my children were home. I keep in the loop by communicating by email and phonecalls daily. I have 2 in college and that's the way we stay in touch. My youngest is handicapped and unable to use a computer, so I don't think I would need the Norton Software, but I would love, love the iPod Touch. TRigell at aol dot com
ReplyDeleteWell, my daughter's in Kindergarten now so she only gets on the computer with our permission and knows there are only a few things she can do currently without us around - Jellytelly.com, kidzcd, and a handful of locally installed games. Anything else, we watch. I don't think I'd need anything like Norton for a little while and would probably shy away from it just because of some of their other products' reputations. When the time comes, we'll investigate some other alternatives and I will definitely get invites to my kid's social sites if/as applicable. :)
ReplyDeleteMy kids and I are connected via facebook and twitter. Norton would be another avenue of connection for us.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that my son is still too young to use the computer, but I have been wrestling with whether or not I'll want him to have access to the internet when he does get old enough. This seems like something that could help me feel better about letting him use the internet!
ReplyDeletemomabr at yahoo dot com
My husband is the tech savvy one in the house, and we have been very leery of allowing our children online (they are still young). It is just a matter of time until they are in cyberspace, so Norton's program would be a very useful tool for our family.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review and the contest-
louisebarton at gmail dot com
My grandkids can just play games on my computer only when I access them and get them started. I really don't like the idea of the kids on the internet while they are too young to understand.
ReplyDeleteWay too many scary stories!
I have my computer in my living room so I am always around to see what my kids are doing on the computer. I usually let them get on only kid sites that don't have chatting or anything. Like nick jr or nickelodeon games. They don't mind me watching and checking but they are still kinda young. I think I would consider the norton because when they get a little older I would want to track where they have been. Mostly because I am one of those moms that say What If. I think anything could happen but I will try my best to make sure that nothing does. Thanks so much for the chance. brewerchickey78(at)yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteSo far, my kids are too young to be using the computer unmonitored but Norton Online sounds like a solution I should look into for the not-so-distant future...
ReplyDeleteI've got a toddler now, but he's already into computers! He knows which desktop shortcut brings up Dora the explorer, and which one Barney - it's scary! I can see myself needing this software not too long from now. Currently I just sit with him and we do things online together.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this great giveaway!
callmeabookworm at gmail dot com
I like that I can login and check the kids' surfing when I am away form home.
ReplyDeleteI think nortons is great. But I personally wouldn't let anyone under the age of 18 have a myspace. I am 31, currently kidless not a prude but I just don't see the point. I would rather them be social in other ways.
ReplyDeleteI do think it would help with other means of computer monitoring though!
thanks!
karissag at gmail.com
I strictly limit my kids' Internet access to 20 minutes a day right now, but I am not sure how well this will work when they get older and need to use it for school and such. I think the Norton Family software could help us!
ReplyDeleteMy kids are still too little to use the internet without direct supervision, but Norton Family Online sounds like a great way to keep an eye on them when they get older. I like being able to keep on eye on them without hanging over their shoulder. :)
ReplyDeletehematopoiesis at hotmail dot com
My daughters are 18 and 14. I have been using AOL Parental Controls for years and has been reliable. However Norton Family Online is much more detailed. I look forward to trying it right away. These teenage years are critical!! Thank you for the information and for the giveaway offer!
ReplyDeletelisaarant at aol dot com
I would love to know what is going on... just call me Big brother! :)
ReplyDeleteDkfranklin1 at yahoo.com
matthewanddeanna.blogspot.com
My tweet:
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/betsy4life/status/1199089324
I love the time limit feature!
ReplyDeleteMy kids are not allowed to "surf the web". They know they are only allowed to visit a few sites. They are monitored.
My kids aren't old enough for me to have this stress yet, but I'm loving the sound of this software for when they are! It's so detailed, from time limits to adding strangers as buddies... I think it's a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI am friends with my daughter on Facebook and I know her password as well.
ReplyDeleteI tweeted your contest!
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/ablogger/statuses/1199264599
My oldest is only 3 so I don't have many problems yet, but I think it's important to talk to your kids and know they can talk to you, without being judged. We plan on keeping the family computer in an open area so we know what everyone is using it for. This new software sounds like a great idea.
ReplyDeleteWe stay in the loop by making sure to talk to him about what he does on the computer and checking in on him once in a while when he plays. I think norton's would help because it would allow me to know everything he did rather than what I just happen to see or what he tells me
ReplyDeletemitanari[at]yahoo[dot]com
Aside from limiting their time, we use the very highly fallible honor system with our kids (16 & 12). The Norton's Online Family would definitely be more reliable and would give me considerably more peace of mind.
ReplyDeleteVery excited about this!
ginnyswe at gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI stay in touch in person with them.
I had a 2 week trial of computer monitoring eun out. I could use this to keep tabs on any trouble they may run into.I am a single mom with no support and money is tight.
Thanks!
That is a fantastic idea - with so many (younger) kids online these days this is something that seems like it would really work. My boys are just toddlers right now, but when they get a bit older and want to be chatting with their friends I would totally use this!
ReplyDeleteMy son is only three years old..but he does like to play online (pbskids.org) ..but for now, i'm always sitting right with him.
ReplyDeleteI can see how this security system would make parents feel a little bit safe..but still not 100% safe.. I wonder what it will be like when my son is old enough to venture out on the inet alone!?
I have an easy time staying in the loop with my girls (6 & 8) because they usually want to use my laptop since it is faster than our desktop. I'm hoping they get their own laptop soon (I'm tired of sharing - LOL!) and the Norton Online Family software sounds like it would be a wise investment when that happens.
ReplyDeleteI tweeted about the contest - http://twitter.com/deanna_j/status/1199638561
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great product - my daughter is just starting to get interested in computers and I do worry about what's out there - it's so different from when we were kids. Right now I'm with her when she's playing, but I know it can't always be that way. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe Norton Family Online Family Account sounds like a great idea, and one of many things a family can do to stay safe. It is all about communicating DAILY with your children and staying *IN their lives and in their business in a Good way while they are young so that they will WANT to keep YOU informed as they grow up. Make your house the one that the kids want gather at. Listen to your kids when they talk... be available. HAVE DINNER AS a family.. so important. Turn the TV OFF!
ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway.
Leslie
LeslieVeg@msn.com
LeslieVeg just left a Tweet on Twitter
ReplyDeleteHere's the link
http://tinyurl.com/aldvgp
Leslie
LesieVeg@msn.com
Our kid is pretty easy to keep tabs on as she's still too young for surfing myspace but i think having something like the Norton family account in place *before* they start online would be great because then they know we'll be keeping an eye on things.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any kids and my computers use Linux, so I don't think the Norton products will work on that operating system.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, I think the software is a good idea for households that have kids with separate computers. If all members of the family use the same computer, I think parents would have an easier time monitoring their usage. With separate computers, the kids could get into all sorts of online mischief without their parents' knowledge unless this type of monitoring was used.
Nyssa AT concentric DOT net
This is a great product idea. I'm definitely filing it away in memory for future use. As of right now, my children are preschoolers and only have use of the computer when I'm sitting right next to them, fully aware of everything they click. But I AM concerned about their computer usage when they're older, and definitely want to keep them safe. I have never heard of a product like this, and I'm already a fan of Norton.
ReplyDeleteI have to say the news about the sheer number of sex offenders on MySpace was particularly shocking and jolting. If that doesn't bring reality home, I don't know what could!
Thanks for the contest, and the product information, too!
jbnewson at hotmail dot com
As my children are still young, I simply limit time on the computer and only allow them to use it when I'm sitting right there with them. The Norton ware seems really proficient though. It's nice to know that things like that are developing so that when my little ones are big enough to be spending alone time on the computer, I can set clear boundaries via software. Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteWell, my kids are 16 and 18, so I am past the constantly monitoring them stage. At some point you have to let go of the apron strings and hope that your values have transferred. The computer they use at home is in the kitchen and always has been so that if they are looking at something they should not, they can worry that Mommy will walk by any minute! ha
ReplyDeleteI told my son years ago how, when you go to a porn site and then go to click the X to get out of it, it does not go away, but it actually pops up another window full of even worse porn and so on. I told him, first that if he were looking at porn and tried to close the window just before Mommy or DAddy walked in the room, he was going to get caught, bec you just can't click out of it. And second of all, that porn was exactly like that - you start out with a little skin and then you try to leave, but you want more and more and worse and worse until you are viewing things you never thot you would look at. Every story I have ever read of someone's experience with pornography says the same thing - that they started with a little "harmless" Playboy and the next thing they knew they were watching hard core videos that they never thot they would view. We told him, don't even go there.
Now my daughter is off to college and she has her own laptop, so of course, we don't monitor it. But I feel comfortable that she is doing the right things. Also, all those years, they were forbidden to ever erase their history on the computer and they knew that every so often I would go in and see what sites they had been to and that if any of them were unfamiliar to me, I would be visiting them to see if they were acceptable or not. If the history were ever erased, someone would be losing computer privileges for a very long time.
I call it self-policing. I cannot stand over their shoulders every minute of the day for the rest of their lives. I have to help them WANT to do the right thing. What about when they are at someone else's house? Do your kids have the gumption then to be the one who will say, "No, I am not interested in watching that or going there or smoking that?" If they have relied on YOU to be their watchdog all their lives, they are more inclined to cave in to peer pressure than if you have helped them set some of their own boundaries.
Thanks for having the giveaway!
right now my kid is too little to need this kind of monitoring, but as a school teacher i can see how this would be very useful and will be useful to me in the future.
ReplyDeleteelkesten at yahoo dot com
So far, if either of my kids get online, I very closely supervise them...mainly to make sure they don't break anything or drool on the keyboard. (They're 2.5 and 9 months.) In the future, then Norton Online Family looks like it could be very useful - as long as it doesn't create problems for adult users or interfere with regular software.
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely consider their newest version in a few years when my kids are older.
My son is not old enough to need Norton yet (he's 2 1/2)but I love the idea! I was a teacher before becoming a stay at home mom & I could see this being useful for school age kids. I would love to get software like this when my son is old enough to surf the web!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
We stay in the loop by utilizing parental controls, keeping the computer in the family room, and shoulder surfing.
ReplyDeleteI think this software would absolutely help, you need all the tools you can use in todays techno savvy world.
My kids are grown, but I stay "in the Loop" with them by talking to them on the phone almost daily, texting, emailing, and chatting on Gmail. I see the 2 that live here in town almost every week. My youngest daughter has been saving for an iPhone, so I would probably gift this to her if I win. She is working full-time, taking classes part-time, and supporting herself. I'm so proud of all my kids. They're amazing!
ReplyDeleteI blogged about this giveaway:
ReplyDeletehttp://fibrofoggy.blogspot.com/2009/02/more-giveaways.html
As the kids are all out of the house, my family actually keeps tabs on each other via our Facebook pages. But the little ones will definitely benefit from this norton online family software!
ReplyDeleteMy kids are only allowed on the internet while being closely supervised. If I see something questionable I am quick to call them on it. We also use parental controls, but I know there are ways around it. I also check histories
ReplyDeletemommyhoodisthankless{AT}gmail.com
Tweet: http://twitter.com/wastebasket/statuses/1201561476
ReplyDeleteFor now, I'm able to monitor my daughter's internet patterns by limiting her internet time and keeping the computer in a high traffic area of our home. As she gets older (she's 10) this is going to be a lot more difficult! I love the 'notify' feature - how great that I don't have to remember to check in. The program does the 'checking in' for me!
ReplyDeletemamainjammies@yahoo.com
My daughter is just 5 years old and has just started using the computer. I try to watch what she does but I worry when I leave the room for even just a second about pop ups and such. This would greatly benefit us. :)
ReplyDeletelesleypeck@suddenlink.net
I keep in the loop with my kids by checking the internet history and talking to them about where they are allowed to go on the internet. I think this software would help alot with keeping tabs on what they are doing. Hollyollyberry(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThis product sounds wonderful. We thought that we were covered when we didn't allow our son to have a computer in his room and kept our one and only computer in the dining room which is smack-dab in the middle of the house. Everyone sees what you're doing at all times! We were homeschooling and so we were literally together all the time. Now that he is older and I am working part time, I forgot that he would not be monitored while I was out and found him visiting some "icky" sites. This would have saved a lot of grief! Our younger one is just now getting in to being on the computer so I have peace knowing that there is a product out there to help us keep him safe online, as well as innocent for a little bit longer!
ReplyDeletestaceyc4@embarqmail.com
My baby is only 7 weeks old right now. I don't have to worry about her internet usage for a while longer. Something like this would really help in the future.
ReplyDeleteTwitted https://twitter.com/Jinxyisms/status/1204222242
ReplyDeleteGah, given the amount of freedom I had as a kid, I know it's important to monitor children's internet usage. (Granted, I was square, so I didn't get into a whole lot...)
ReplyDeleteI definitely plan on restricting internet usage to certain time limits and to always be around (not hovering, but around) as well as the parental controls. No cell (if those are even still around at the time, haha) until they need it for safety (like high school football games or whatever, which tend to be later at night).
Thanks for the giveaway!
We are just getting to the ages where we need to be concerned about internet usage and safety. This Norton tool (and I love several other Norton products!) looks really useful for this. We have had an incident similar to another poster where one of our children stumbled onto some sites while homeschooling that we wished he wouldn't have seen at his age. This product would have really helped with that. I really like how it will text your cell phone so if you are away from a computer or don't have e-mail access on your phone, you can still get the information. Cool!
ReplyDeleteMy children are monitored in our 5 room apartment by myself and my wonderful hubby, when they get old enough to be on the internet I'm sure we're going to need someting like what Norton is offering right now, this looks very handy and user-friendly.
ReplyDeletekatelynthames at yahoo dot com
I keep in touch with my son by calling his day care during the day to check on him. other than that, he's really with me!
ReplyDeleteI twitted. http://twitter.com/Blacktating/status/1205070074
ReplyDeleteMy son is still too young to monitor. But I plan to monitor online activity with software and keeping the computer in a public place. Also, monitoring cell/text activity too.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure this would be a great thing once the girls are older. Right now they're a bit too young but we do monitor and make sure that when they use the computer they can't go anywhere they want online or mistakenly go. We also keep the computer and PLAN on keeping it in the family room.
ReplyDeleteMy sweet'um is a lil' too little for the Norton Family Online Family Account, but this is definitely something to consider in today's day and age for the safety of our children.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this fabulous give~away! : )))
leahita[at]gmail[dot]com
And, I TWITTERED about this give~away.......user name: leahita.
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/leahita/status/1205793300
leahita[at]gmail[dot]com
I stay in the loop with my kids by talking to them about what is happening in their lives and making sure that they are comfortable sharing their feelings/experiences with me. My kids aren't old enough to go on the computer independently yet, but when they are older Norton Online Family would be helpful
ReplyDeleteMy 6 year old doesn't use the computer yet, and my 16 year old doesn't realize that I have her passwords to Myspace and Facebook. Yet. It's an absolute nightmare hearing about some of the things the kids in her class are doing!
ReplyDeleteI'm pregnant with my first little one, but I am already thinking about what in the world I will have to think about as he grows up. I'm a middle school teacher and I see allll of this stuff that kids are getting in to. Parents really need to be on top of it all, even if it takes time and energy. I think that ANYTHING that can help parents manage what their kids are doing would be great! This program sounds like something I could recommend to my students' parents! Thanks so much for the giveaway!!
ReplyDeletemyshadow28(at)aol(dot)com
I have a 13 year old nephew who I watch all the time b/c his mom is busy working and sometimes when he is playing his loud music, I need to create my own calm space. Right now I still have a CD player (yikes!!!) but I have so many songs on my computer, but I don't always want to sit at the computer to listen to the songs. I know I am not raising this 13 year old, but I am watching him and I am part of the raising and it's HARD! This giveaway would make it a little easier. I'm putting in practice for when I have my own babies -- hopefully soon! Thanks
ReplyDeleteMimsy75@gmail.com
What a great idea. The NOrton system sounds interesting for the future. Right now, my kiddos are under 3, so really, it's not an issue for us. I love this giveaway, thanks for giving us a chance to air our opinions and give us a chance to win at the same time!
ReplyDeletejomamajoanna (at) google (dot) com
My daughters are still a little too young to use the computer by themselves (besides just liking to bang on the keys) but I plan on keeping a close eye on what they do online as they get older because I'm always amazed and horrified by the scary stuff out there these days. This Norton Online Family software sounds like a good step in the right direction towards being safe. Thanks!
ReplyDeletexpsundell(at)gmail(dot)com
This is in an interesting idea - my kids are too young, but my niece and nephew are just getting into solo computer time, so I think this might allow them to be more independent.
ReplyDeleteRight now my daughter only gets on Jumpstart world and the disney playhouse website and I am in the room with her. I see her branching out soon and this program would be very helpful
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is only 17 months old right now. So I am always in the loop! When she is not with me she is with my grandma and only a phone call away! I am very interested in products available to safeguard your children. In today's world you have to be safe, but at the same time you can not forbid everything!
ReplyDeleteI tweeted at http://twitter.com/breasmommy/status/1207462200
ReplyDeleteI keep the girls safe on the computer by keeping the computer in a central location. The girls are still young so I usually sit by them while they are using the computer. I'm sure as they get older the Norton Online Family would be very helpful.
ReplyDeleteI love all of the "safe child" security functions of Norton Online Family! My daughter is still much to young to do anything other than tap on the keyboard, but even at this age was are teaching her that she can't touch the computer unless mommy or daddy are right there.
ReplyDeleteKeilann
teq97[at]hotmail[dot]com
mine are to young right now, but i think it's great to be able to keep track of whats going on with the older ones
ReplyDeletemy daughter is too young but i will definitely use this in near future
ReplyDeleteWe have the computer in a common area so it is very easy to check on what they are doing. It is also password protected so I have to unlock it for them to play on it. That program would be great to keep them from going to sites that are not approved when I get busy doing things and forget to cheak on them.
ReplyDeleteMy son is young but as he gets older I want to make sure he has a phone and that I monitor his internet activity! Great software
ReplyDeletejasonncaryn at yahoo dot com
We try to stay in the loop by keeping the computer in a very public area and limiting computer time on weeknights. We are avid checkers on the history, and ask to see facebook and myspace profiles on a regular basis. Our parents have never had to deal with anything like this before, and I think that this software is something that would definitely help to put our minds at ease when our kids are surfing the internet.
ReplyDeletethe stranger notification sounds like great idea!
ReplyDeletetweet
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/valerie2350/status/1210968302
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI pushed "post comment" a second ago and it said I had a duplicate error(?) and then didn't post...sorry about this (if the last one ends up posting.
ReplyDeleteI keep an eye on my children while on the computer. We keep all electronics in the living room where every one reverts to when they want to play online (which helps me look over there shoulders when need be) or watch TV.
I think it's the safest way too go, but the Norton program is a pretty nifty idea too.
Thanks for the giveaway...I'm so glad you extended it a little longer or I would have totally missed out on such a prize.
-barbarabaker :)
Since my four year old can not yet spell I don't worry about him leaving the websites I set him up with. Once he learns to navigate the website himself I will look into this program to restrict where he can go.
ReplyDeleteLeslie
Lesilenva83@aol.com
Since my children are all under the age of 5, I don't have to worry as of yet about protection online but then again I do have parental control set up with my Norton 360 just in case. Cause I have come to find that even the slightest jibber jabber typed on a keyboard in a search engine can bring drastic results! kristinia AT lovingheartmommy DOT com
ReplyDeleteBlogged here for a 2nd entry:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lovingheartmommy.com/2009/02/sunday-giveaways-of-interest.html
No kids here, but if I did, for sure they would be monitored to death. There's just way too much "creepiness" going on today...as well as WAY too much phone/computer/video game usage. Thanks for the awesome giveaway. guill888 at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteI stay in the loop by having parental controls set on my computer. My kids are pretty much always with me because i'm a stay at home mom/homeschooler. I like this Norton software because you can get a detailed view of your children's online activity. This would help me out.
ReplyDeleteTweet Tweet. I tweeted. https://twitter.com/millaa1/status/1216225403
ReplyDeleteCreated a blog post here also: http://www.blogiversity.org/blogs/millaa/archive/2009/02/16/good-afternoon-read-this-for-another-shot-to-win-an-ipod-touch.aspx
ReplyDeleteKids are past the age of monitoring, but my sister could definitely use this. Thank you for this review. bb8y29 at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteIs your giveaway extended until February 22nd like the others? I want to enter if it is! If not, sorry to bother you!
ReplyDeleteMy oldest child is 4 and he only visits 2 websites, but I do appreciate this reminder that very soon I will need to take precautions to help my child be protected while online. I'm talking to my husband about this!
Sorry, I typed my email address but it didn't show up. I am onlycancan ta hotmail tod com
ReplyDeleteOur 3 y/o isn't doing much internet surfing yet, but, believe me, my mommy mind is already worrying about the upcoming years. Oy. This product looks fabulous! I love that it looks easy to install and use (I'm not technologically gifted), and that I can track her activity even if I'm at work and she's at home or from another computer at home!! Brilliant! Thanks for the great review. I'm bookmarking the product site as a link and will be checking into it, I assure you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win the iTouch, too! :-)
Tweeted!
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/PsychMamma/status/1224413786
My kids are only 4 but we don't allow them on the PC at all yet. I also don't post pictures of them in any public internet spaces unless they have been Photoshop scrambled. For instance, I have a blog but I don't ever put any photos with their faces identifiable on the blog. I also don't put anything on the back of my car that identifies my children. For instance I have seen parents that put those sports balls with their kids name and jersey number on them on the back of the car. Smooth move if you want an invitation for a sex offender.
ReplyDeleteThis software looks like a great step to protecting your kids. The other step is to not allow computers in private areas like your childrens rooms, keep them in a living room etc. where you can pop in and out. Parents should also be wise that kids may have applications for FB, Twitter etc. on their phones.
This is such a great tool for parents of kids any age. I have four kids and two of them are teenagers. We have two computers in our house and I try to monitor the time they are on them and where they are allowed to go when using them.
ReplyDeleteMy older two kids do have MySpace pages, and I have to check them often to monitor who and what is being sent and opened on there. My kids know the house rules, but sometimes their friends don't. At this point, if I find anything vulgar or crude, those people, get deleted.
Great piece of technology and piece of mind with the Norton Online Family program.
sbarnesmomo4@yahoo.com
Tweeted at http://twitter.com/BarnesofGrace
ReplyDeleteBlogged about this giveaway at http://ourbarnesofgrace.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteMy children have a habit of going to You Tube to watch the videos. They are only alllowed a hour per day on the computer if their homework,studying and chores are done. This Norton would really help me out tremendously.
ReplyDeletetamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
The amount of time they can spend on the computer, tv, video games and phone is VERY limited. ceegeebeegee at yahoo . com
ReplyDeleteMy son is only allowed to access the Internet under my supervision. This software would be a great tool to give me a break as well as peace of mind. Thank you for the great giveaway!
ReplyDeletebeatspammer at gmail dot com
Tweeted
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/luckytoddler/status/1232288397
beatspammer at gmail dot com
Thanks for the chance to win. Norton would help me supervise my 12 children on the internet. It can be a full time job. :)
ReplyDeleteI blogged it here.
http://teambettendorf.com/2009/02/22/win-an-ipod-touch/
We keep the communication lines open in our home and monitor the sites they go to. But Norton would be great! Thanks for the review and the awesome contest. I'd love to have an i-pod touch
ReplyDeleteMy 13-year old daughter primarily uses the desktop computer in the living room and she routinely checks with us before she does anything "sensitive" BUT Norton Online Family Review would give me additional peace of mind.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are all grown, so I just have to keep track of my granddaughters when they are with us. And they only use the internet when we are with them. The computer is in a central location in the home. Norton's would be a great investment.
ReplyDeleteMy 14 yr old stepson now lives with us and has home access to the internet where he never did before. He thinks I know nothing, of course, but I've already raised my own 2 children with the net. He wonders why his dad and I worry! This sounds like a great answer to prevent more grey hairs!
ReplyDeletewhat a great review and great giveaway. We constantly give reminders to our kids regarding what is OK and not OK to access online and when it's ok for them to be surfing the internet. We talked about naughty things that are available and showed them how to use the favorites buttons to keep good websites available and easy to get. I also just simply try to be around when they are online--never leave them to it alone, never at night, never when a babysitter is here, etc.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance. =)
This is a great review! So detailed! Thank you . . .
ReplyDeleteI already use Norton, so once my little guy is of age, no doubt this will be on our TO BUY list!
laskigal@gmail.com
I don't have kids of my own yet, but I teach. Any computer time (very little) is monitored by me though. I can see something like this being useful in schools.
ReplyDeleteviperemily at hotmail dot com
We haven't had to worry about the internet with our child yet being that he is still a preschooler, but this would be great when that time comes!
ReplyDeleteauflag@yahoo.com
My daughter is still to young to use the computer but I will hold on to this for when she gets older.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are grown, but to keep my granddaughters safe, we only let them on the computer when we are with them. Looks like a great product.
ReplyDelete