Easy but effective steps you can take to monitor your teen’s online activities include requiring that the computer be located in a common area of the home (not your teen’s bedroom); setting clear rules about off-limit/inappropriate content or Web sites; and establishing clear consequences for breaking those rules, such as restricting computer use to homework only or taking your teen’s cell phone away for a couple of weeks.

Computers record a history of recent Web sites viewed, which can be used to detect where your teen has surfed. Generally, you can view this history by clicking on “My Computer” from the desktop; selecting the “C” drive; selecting either “History” or “Windows”; and then selecting “Temporary Internet Files.” (Note: This does not apply to Macs.) If you cannot find this location, simply call your computer manufacturer’s customer service number. Computers can store histories for days or weeks. Please note that if your teen is technology savvy, the computer history log is easy to erase. Do not rely solely on this tactic, but rather use it as an initial starting point for monitoring your teen’s behavior if you suspect he/she is visiting inappropriate sites. If you are purchasing a new computer, it can be set-up so that parents are the administrators of it. If you choose to go this route, your will receive a separate password which will allow you to view all sites, messages, and e-mails received or sent on that computer.

There are additional technologies that might be helpful to parents who suspect that their teens are engaging in risky behaviors while online. While the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign does not endorse these products, below is a list of filtering software that may provide additional assistance to concerned parents. Every situation is different and it is up to you to assess the needs of you and your family to engage the appropriate monitoring methods.

Filtering and monitoring software providers have launched products with parental monitoring in mind. Many of these products can be purchased and downloaded over the Internet and some are available at computer or electronics stores. While these products are generally effective, some tech-savvy teens can work around these filters, which is why personal parental monitoring is always the best method of protection.

Companies such as Guardian Angel Technologies  enable parents to use a cell phone as a tracking device to monitor the geographical location of their teens. Other Web-monitoring software, such as SpectorSoft Corp.'s Spector application , record e-mail, instant messaging, screenshots, and key strokes, in addition to Web sites visited. Following are a couple of other suggestions. For more information, check out the Digital Technology 101 section.

ChildWebGuardian Filtering Software 
Using the Internet Explorer Web browser, this program checks and tracks the content of every Web page a child views. If ChildWebGuardian finds obscene content, the pages are blocked. ChildWebGuardian’s special functions allow analysis of page content, rather than just the Web site address, and can restrict the use of Internet Explorer by time and day of the week.

The above suggestions reflect just a sampling of the tools available to aid parents in monitoring the digital activities of their children. You should explore what is right for you and your family. Again, if your teen is tech savvy, he/she will most likely figure out a way to circumvent the installed software. So continue to be vigilante and use as many monitoring strategies as possible.

For additional Parent Resources, click here>>

For regular updates and information, subscribe to TheAntiDrug.com’s Parenting “Tips” Newsletter.