Should I warn my child that I am monitoring his chats or IMs?

Should I warn my child that I am monitoring his chats or IMs?

Ward Leber (CEO) gives expert video advice on: What should I warn my child about instant messaging?; How do I monitor my child's chats and IMs?; Should I warn my child that I am monitoring his chats or IMs? and more...

You should never tell your child that you're monitoring their chats or their Instant Messenger. The reason you shouldn't do that is because that will be the last time that you ever get to use that resource. Kids are really smart. If you put that software on their system, they'll just go to their friend's house and start chatting and Instant Messaging from there. Or they'll go to the Cyber Cafe at the local mall. But, whatever you do, if you explain to them how you know what they're up to, don't tell them you're monitoring it. Don't tell them you're monitoring every keystroke. Because, number one, the trust issue is going to be a problem for you. But, most importantly, that resource is over. Kids are too smart. They'll figure out how to get a new email address that you don't know about.