I need to take control of my 12 year olds lap top!!

[Anonymous]

Can anyone recommend effective and easy to set up apps that l can use to both monitor and lock/shut off my computer? I also need to block certain words from being used; would love to be able to permanently deactivate privacy/incognito mode. He's also found a way around the home wifi and is using a friends or has figured out how to get on xfinity. Driving me bonkers and is not safe. He's 2 and apparently tech savvy. I am computer dumb.

First, in the short term, I would like to set up my own password to his computer so that I have to turn it on and log in before he can use it.

[Anonymous]

Some one I know took the laptop to Best Buy and their Geek Squad helped. Maybe Micro Center?

There are also ways to put a timer on the machine so he can only access internet at certain times.

If he has a cell phone can always suspend service with the carrier. I did that many times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some one I know took the laptop to Best Buy and their Geek Squad helped. Maybe Micro Center?

There are also ways to put a timer on the machine so he can only access internet at certain times.

If he has a cell phone can always suspend service with the carrier. I did that many times.

If only. I took it to microsoft and was willing to pay whatever they charged. They pointed me to some disk to use. I need someone to show me how to do this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some one I know took the laptop to Best Buy and their Geek Squad helped. Maybe Micro Center?

There are also ways to put a timer on the machine so he can only access internet at certain times.

If he has a cell phone can always suspend service with the carrier. I did that many times.

If only. I took it to microsoft and was willing to pay whatever they charged. They pointed me to some disk to use. I need someone to show me how to do this!

Not Microsoft; Micro Electronics

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone recommend effective and easy to set up apps that l can use to both monitor and lock/shut off my computer? I also need to block certain words from being used; would love to be able to permanently deactivate privacy/incognito mode. He's also found a way around the home wifi and is using a friends or has figured out how to get on xfinity. Driving me bonkers and is not safe. He's 2 and apparently tech savvy. I am computer dumb.

First, in the short term, I would like to set up my own password to his computer so that I have to turn it on and log in before he can use it.

Not Microsoft.

Micro Center locations Rockville and Northern VA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone recommend effective and easy to set up apps that l can use to both monitor and lock/shut off my computer? I also need to block certain words from being used; would love to be able to permanently deactivate privacy/incognito mode. He's also found a way around the home wifi and is using a friends or has figured out how to get on xfinity. Driving me bonkers and is not safe. He's 2 and apparently tech savvy. I am computer dumb.

First, in the short term, I would like to set up my own password to his computer so that I have to turn it on and log in before he can use it.

Not Microsoft.

Micro Center locations Rockville and Northern VA

Yes, said Microsoft, meant Micro Center, Rockville. I hope I am not getting dementia

[Anonymous]

In the meantime while you research these methods of parental control... force him to only use the laptop with you over his shoulder. It will be boring for you, but will teach him a lesson. I’m assuming he needs the computer for school work or else you’d just take it away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In the meantime while you research these methods of parental control... force him to only use the laptop with you over his shoulder. It will be boring for you, but will teach him a lesson. I’m assuming he needs the computer for school work or else you’d just take it away.

Yes, if not for school, it would be banished until who knows when. When I'm with him doing school work I'm sitting right there looking and telling him to get off google hangouts with friends while he is meeting with tutor. His dad said he sat across from him while he met with the tutor despite me saying not too. Need to move over to the relationship forum to address this. Child also took computer off my bed and took it to his room to use. Lock down must happen. I will look at parental controls. Was hoping to get some recommendations here.

[Anonymous]

Why can’t you just take it away and lock it up when he’s not doing schoolwork?

It’s jarring for me to hear “his laptop.” In my house, they are all my computers because I paid for them. I get to say who uses them when, and they stay in my room overnight. Single mom.

[Anonymous]

Nothing works as well as a real time human monitoring. Sixth graders figured out how to get around the filters at school.

[Anonymous]

Holy cow, your 12 year old should not have their own laptop.

At least take away any internet access unless it's on the desk in the family room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holy cow, your 12 year old should not have their own laptop.

At least take away any internet access unless it's on the desk in the family room.

I thought he was 2??
Smart toddler!

[Anonymous]

set up the copmuter so you are the ADMIN, and he is the USER. he will have password access to the computer, but as the admin you set up what times the computer /programs are able to be used.

and you can set it up so we won't be able to down load or install programs with out ADMIN permission. so long as you have a good password as an ADMIN he wont be able to bypass your settings.

so if he wants to install a game, hes gotta come to you first.or if he wants to use the computer after hours, hes gotta come to you

https://www.howtogeek.com/250224/how-to-set-time-limits-for-a-regular-account-in-windows-10/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone recommend effective and easy to set up apps that l can use to both monitor and lock/shut off my computer? I also need to block certain words from being used; would love to be able to permanently deactivate privacy/incognito mode. He's also found a way around the home wifi and is using a friends or has figured out how to get on xfinity. Driving me bonkers and is not safe. He's 2 and apparently tech savvy. I am computer dumb.

First, in the short term, I would like to set up my own password to his computer so that I have to turn it on and log in before he can use it.

If it is a mac, this:
https://www.intego.com/contentbarrier

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing works as well as a real time human monitoring. Sixth graders figured out how to get around the filters at school.

+1 Do not rely on technology.