[sailin74]

Even kids have rights. If he's away at school, he has the expectation of privacy in his room. I think it's only appropriate to tell him you're installing monitoring software on his computer. You're saying you don't trust him either way. Wonder how many kids have installed spyware on mom and dad's machines? That'd be a good statistic. I assume you're not concerned about the legal implications of spyware, but it'd be interesting to see if he could take you to court for it.

If he's on dial-up uploading images could be tough. Text might be easier, but neither will be transparent to a knowledgable computer user, simply due to the slowdown when you login.

If he wants to do it again, he will. You can only make it slightly harder. Don't violate his trust in the process of only making it slightly harder for him to commit fraud.

There has to be a reason that he did this, other than he can. If the motivation to commit fraud isn't dealt with, or he simply hasn't learnt his lesson, he will do it again.

-Jason

[rjc3]

Okay, just so everyone is perfectly clear - I am installing the keystroke logger on my son's computer WITH HIS KNOWLEDGE. I'm really just looking for help in setting up the terminal to periodically email me the key log, but I appreciate your response. Keep em' coming!

And besides, it isn't really "his" room. I lease it for him from the boarding school, who reserves the right to enter and inspect the premises at any time. He is, at most, a guest. I'm not sure what sort of privacy expectation he could have given these facts.

Originally posted by sailin74:
Even kids have rights. If he's away at school, he has the expectation of privacy in his room. I think it's only appropriate to tell him you're installing monitoring software on his computer. You're saying you don't trust him either way. Wonder how many kids have installed spyware on mom and dad's machines? That'd be a good statistic. I assume you're not concerned about the legal implications of spyware, but it'd be interesting to see if he could take you to court for it.

If he's on dial-up uploading images could be tough. Text might be easier, but neither will be transparent to a knowledgable computer user, simply due to the slowdown when you login.

If he wants to do it again, he will. You can only make it slightly harder. Don't violate his trust in the process of only making it slightly harder for him to commit fraud.

There has to be a reason that he did this, other than he can. If the motivation to commit fraud isn't dealt with, or he simply hasn't learnt his lesson, he will do it again.

-Jason

[Since EBCDIC]

Don't bother.

By telling your child you're surveilling him you've just rewarded him for evading your scrutiny. It's not like Internet access is a rare commodity at school.

Doesn't anyone remember being a kid, trying to reach past boundaries?

[ebuddy]

Doesn't anyone remember being a kid, trying to reach past boundaries?

Yep. Stole StarWars figures, smashed pumpkins and Christmas lights, smoked cigarettes...did not commit Credit Card Fraud and land myself before a Federal Court. I presume most "kids" haven't done this either. Credit Card Fraud is a smidgen more complex and requires a little more dedication than the average kid is willing to give. This is the foundation of my concern. I think the kid is relatively intelligent and courageous and could find himself in more trouble down the road. I think his skills need to be busied with activities that don't involve sitting any real length of time in front of a computer. Also remember DAD for every measure, there is a counter measure and you likely won't know why the bad keystrokes aren't appearing. In short, I think it's possible the kid is more dedicated to his computer than you.

To the DAD, I'm a complete novice when it comes to anything regarding the terminal, but there is a wealth of information on the net for those that need it. Your son's teacher would likely make him look the information up himself so he'd retain it more effectively. GET CRACKIN'!

[Since EBCDIC]

Originally posted by ebuddy:
...Also remember DAD for every measure, there is a counter measure and you likely won't know why the bad keystrokes aren't appearing.

What's to wonder? He'll be telling the kid that he's going to monitor the laptop.

(Translation: "I'm watching this computer. If you want to do anything at all that you don't want me to see, from porn to credit card fraud, go use another computer.")

Reminds me of a fellow parent, who jokingly says to his kid "stop, or I'll say 'stop' again".

[Turias]

You guys are missing the point. The point isn't for dad to catch and bust the kid himself. The point is to do the best he can to prevent the child from doing it again.

By telling the kid that he is not going to ignore the situation and is instead going to monitor his computer usage, dad is doing everything in his immediate power to rectify the current situation. Sure, taking him out of the boarding school might also work, but, at the moment, that does not appear to be an option.

Oh, and rjc3, did you get a chance to try out my cron script idea?

[Nai no Kami]

Originally posted by Grammar Police:
Oooh oooh! I have a great idea! Let's have a contest to see who is the best writer! We can use English, Spanish, French, and Japanese!

Or better yet, let's see whose genitals are larger!

P.S. My dad can beat up your dad.

I will not derail this thread. If you want to continue with this discussion us PMs.

[juanpacolopez]

Originally posted by Turias:
You guys are missing the point. The point isn't for dad to catch and bust the kid himself. The point is to do the best he can to prevent the child from doing it again.

Right on

The problem here is that the dad faces potentially severe/damaging legal consequences if he doesn't take reasonable measures to curtail his son's behavior.

Everyone is right, if the kid REALLY wants to use stolen credit cards, he's going to do it regardless; he's already proven he has the wherewithall to escape detection at least for a short time.

However, if the kid WERE to get into trouble again at least now the dad can say "well judge, I tried disciplining my son and using every technological tool at my disposal to ensure he was behaving himself". That could mean the difference between huge fines/jail time/criminal conviction (for negligence) for the dad, and simply a long trip to a JDC for the kid.

[juanpacolopez]

Originally posted by sailin74:
Even kids have rights. If he's away at school, he has the expectation of privacy in his room. I think it's only appropriate to tell him you're installing monitoring software on his computer. You're saying you don't trust him either way. Wonder how many kids have installed spyware on mom and dad's machines? That'd be a good statistic. I assume you're not concerned about the legal implications of spyware, but it'd be interesting to see if he could take you to court for it.

Kids do have rights, you're absolutely correct.

Unfortunately (or fortunately if it gets his life back on track) for the kids this isn't one of those rights.

The dad is absolutely correct, if he is paying for a room @ boarding school (which contains a contract with provisions for unwarranted/announced searching of the room) then the child (by extension) has no "right" to privacy in the sense to which you refer.

To go a step further, the dad purchased the computer to (essentially) LEND his son for use at school. There was no sale or legal transfer involved, therefore the machine is still the property of the father (forget possession, the father could easily prove beyond a reasonable doubt the machine was his; I garuntee his name is on all the invoices). He can do WHATEVER he wants to the machine with no one's knowledge but his own. It is, after all, essentially his computer.

[rjc3]

I haven't had a chance yet, but I look forward to trying it. Your assistance is greatly appreciated

Originally posted by Turias:


Oh, and rjc3, did you get a chance to try out my cron script idea?

[Epicurus]

Here is some software that was released today. It's called ViewRemote and it will accomplish what you are seeking.

[mamamia]

Originally posted by Epicurus:
Here is some software that was released today. It's called ViewRemote and it will accomplish what you are seeking.

It appears rjc3 may already be aware of it. This quote was found on their website:

"My son recently got into some trouble with his 'online activities.' I told him that I was going to monitor his computer activity, but I didn't know the best product to use. Then I found your site---it's fantastic! From my computer at work I can periodically check in to make sure [he's] not doing anything he shouldn't be."
- Tim M.
Nov. 17, 2003

The situation and timing appear a little too similar for this to be a coincidence.

[rjc3]

Actually, it is a coincidence, although it is nice to hear that others are in similar situations.

Originally posted by mamamia:
It appears rjc3 may already be aware of it. This quote was found on their website:

"My son recently got into some trouble with his 'online activities.' I told him that I was going to monitor his computer activity, but I didn't know the best product to use. Then I found your site---it's fantastic! From my computer at work I can periodically check in to make sure [he's] not doing anything he shouldn't be."
- Tim M.
Nov. 17, 2003

The situation and timing appear a little too similar for this to be a coincidence.