Can I stop my kids from accessing msn and facebook?

[Floridafan]

I am in a fix and I need to wean my kids off these because my son's A levels are suffering. Both he and DD pretend to work while they are on these sites and they think I don't know because I am a technophobe and know very little. Tonight though at parents evening it became clear that my son is just wasting all his time while he is suposed to be working. I think they are addicted. :mad2:

I don't know much about PCs but is it possible without getting too techy to stop them or at least limit their time?

Thanks from a desperate mum.

[WindwardGal]

Yes you can put parental controls on and time settings! O/H did this on the laptop we bought my granddaughter for Christmas.............. she wasn't to happy as we shut it off at 9pm on school nights and no access in the AM on school days!

[Octal]

Why not try the low tech approach and lock the router away and only bring it out after he has done his work?

[scobie15]

I have the same problem with my 17yr old son=except he needs the internet to do his homework,research etc.I have threatened to take his laptop off him but then he says he wont be able to do his homework anyway ! :confused2 I reckon they have to want to do the work-you cant make them.He chose to go to college so I hope he will realise before its too late that I am not just nagging

[grottyrotty]

I'm having the same problem with DS(16). He has his GCSEs this year. He gets quite sneaky collapsing the box when I come into the room, so it looks as if he is doing homework/cousework.

At the end of the day, I can rant rave and scream - and I do regularly :blush: - but I have decided no more.

He has got to get his priorities right. If he doesn't want to do the work, I can't force him. I can only advise and hope he sees sense. We do tell him he can only have 1 hour of screens ie pc, x-box etc on week nights. If he wants to cheat, he is cheating himself - we have told him that!

I remember revising for my exams at this age - just about ;) I used to sit reading Mills & Boon books. When my mum came upstairs, I'd hide the book quick. Things don't change do they :d:

Deb :tinkani:

[Jaybeez]

I would put the PC downstairs in a room that everyone uses, so then it will be easy to see what they are doing. Our computer is in the dining room, so we always know what sites the kids are on.

Alternatively you could sit at the PC on the Dibb, then they won't get on anyway.:wavey:

[pyeds]

i know the feeling :angry: i've got a 12 and a 17 yr old, but my rule is the laptop stays in the front room with us and homework is done first then msn or facebook :) i get alot of eye rolling :angry: but i works for us :)

[Jakey rowling]

I am in a fix and I need to wean my kids off these because my son's A levels are suffering. Both he and DD pretend to work while they are on these sites and they think I don't know because I am a technophobe and know very little. Tonight though at parents evening it became clear that my son is just wasting all his time while he is suposed to be working. I think they are addicted. :mad2:

I don't know much about PCs but is it possible without getting too techy to stop them or at least limit their time?

Thanks from a desperate mum.

If its a wireless connection then you can normally set up blocked sites in the wireless router.

Alternatively follow this guide here
http://www.theparentsedge.com/block_with_IE.html

Same thing here I think
http://www.wikihow.com/Block-a-Website-in-Internet-Explorer

[norriebhoy]

We have the PC in the living room where we can watch the grandaughter, she is only 8 though, she is always on Disney Fairies, Playhouse Disney, High School Musical 2, etc, Disney seem to be bringing our different sites for all the films now, but give her her due, homework is done first, and she stops when told. It's the missus I have problems with now :D , she has discovered the Dibb, and can't get enough off it,I can't get a shot of my new laptop she bought for my christmas :mad2: , I am on the grandkids old PC, what can I do, all suggestions will be considered :d: :wave:

[Floridafan]

Thanks everyone - I thought it was just us. I am going to do what Jakey Rowling suggests or at least attempt it. Thanks for that - really useful.