Hello all,
I've come to find myself is a desperate situation that has led me to take such drastic actions in order to find some sense of order in my parental life. My son, age 17, is at a certain point in his life where independent thought and expression hold greater priority than safety and well-being. Lately, all he does is spend hours on his laptop without moving a muscle, then abruptly leaving the house to what he tells me is his "friend's" house. I haven't met this friend, despite my pleas to invite him to dinner or some sort of gathering. I feel like i'm being duped for a fool while he goes off doing whatever it is that he does. He hasn't been the most honored of children. Indeed, trouble seems to follow him regardless of what happens. I have tried talking, taking action as a parent to no avail. I have tried to access his laptop to try and see what's going on but its protected with a password. As a parent, I want to be able to trust my own flesh and blood but I am fearful that something might be going on that could lead to a dangerous situation. All I know is that he uses the laptop to converse with friends using some kind of messaging software. I, myself, use MSN but it did not appear to be the case the few times i've been able to get a glimps.
I hate to ask but I need someone with more technical knowledge on the subject then myself to offer a resolution. Before I force the issue, which I know will only lead to deception and lies, I want to be able to really see what is going on. Are there any programs that can record such information like conversation text and webpages visited...ect that I can install via e-mail or something similar? I feel bad as it is having to resort to such extreme measures but I feel like I have no where else to turn. Thank you.
John
I've come to find myself is a desperate situation that has led me to take such drastic actions in order to find some sense of order in my parental life. My son, age 17, is at a certain point in his life where independent thought and expression hold greater priority than safety and well-being. Lately, all he does is spend hours on his laptop without moving a muscle, then abruptly leaving the house to what he tells me is his "friend's" house. I haven't met this friend, despite my pleas to invite him to dinner or some sort of gathering. I feel like i'm being duped for a fool while he goes off doing whatever it is that he does. He hasn't been the most honored of children. Indeed, trouble seems to follow him regardless of what happens. I have tried talking, taking action as a parent to no avail. I have tried to access his laptop to try and see what's going on but its protected with a password. As a parent, I want to be able to trust my own flesh and blood but I am fearful that something might be going on that could lead to a dangerous situation. All I know is that he uses the laptop to converse with friends using some kind of messaging software. I, myself, use MSN but it did not appear to be the case the few times i've been able to get a glimps.
I hate to ask but I need someone with more technical knowledge on the subject then myself to offer a resolution. Before I force the issue, which I know will only lead to deception and lies, I want to be able to really see what is going on. Are there any programs that can record such information like conversation text and webpages visited...ect that I can install via e-mail or something similar? I feel bad as it is having to resort to such extreme measures but I feel like I have no where else to turn. Thank you.
John
The only people I tell too look away are my friieds, they tend to joke around, and try to see what my email/aim password is.
