[PLUG] Parental management of teenage boys on Internet

[Michael Robinson]

>
>
>Ease some of the burden of modem use by getting something like
>catch-a-call.  At least that way, calls will get through.  The other way
>is to get the phone company to answer your messages.
>
>Ken
>
>
>
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>  
>
On dial-up, I know there are some services that provide
values based access.  PAX comes to mind.  The scariest
thought about a single mother putting a 14 year old on the
net is how much affect some of the predatory stuff one
runs into will have on a teen.  I guess my advice would
 be caution if the mother is not aware of what the net is
these days and perhaps some faith based advice for both
of them.  There are problems with sheltering anyone,
but a teenager is especially vulnerable to the net's darker
corners.  The best defense I guess is to teach proactively
and filter while including the teen and mother in that
somehow.

At 14, I wonder if this person is mature enough to be
capable of making the right decisions when
 confronted with a darker corner of the net?  Will the
mother be allowing net use when she isn't able to
monitor it?  The other problem with teenagers is that
they think they're adults, but even in your twenties
sometimes you're still stupid.  

I think most people with DSL or Cable have as their
primary complaint that the net delivers arousal
and gratifcation well, but falls far short in most cases
 of giving what it is really desired, wanted, or even
needed.  It's annoying that the net is such a lawless
and filthy frontier in so mnay parts.  If he has email
access through you, I recommend filtering it so that
he doesn't see Cialis, etc., ads.  You're providing the
connection, don't be afraid to do so in a way that fits
with your values.  I guess the only advice is to make
the teenager part of your values based decisions
because a teen, while he/she won't say it, wants to
learn about adulthood from a trusted source.  Most
teens want protection still as they're just starting to
learn what it means to be an adult and  beginning
to assume more responsibility for themselves,
but they want to feel independent too.  It's a hard
time.

I'm surprised DSL is so expensive, in many places
now you can get it for just $20 a month.  That might
be misleading though if you have to get a static ip,
etc.

     --   Michael C. Robinson