UK Victim Support Champion Calls for Monitoring Software!
Sarah Payne of Victim Support, the national charity for victims of crime in England and Wales, told parents on a national talk radio show that parents need to be using monitoring software to “spy” on their kids’ internet use. While I hate the use of that word (the “s”-word), at least someone over there gets it!
Hopefully, parents in the US will also realize that until they are using monitoring software, they have no clue what their kids are actually doing online. If they did, there would be no bullying and no 15-year-old girls running away with guys they meet online…
November 15, 2009
Parents ’should spy on kids online’
UK Press AssociationParents should snoop on their children’s internet use to protect them from paedophiles and cyber-bullies, Sara Payne has said.
The Victims’ Champion called for adults to install monitoring software on computers used by youngsters, and she admitted she checks up on her own children.
Mrs Payne said she had met a lot of children who had to change their phone numbers “constantly” to get away from bullies.
“It’s like being stalked,” she said. “It’s harassment. As an adult, it’s seen as all those things. But for some reason when we put it with children and put the word bullying to it, it’s something which can be brushed over.
“When a child comes to you and tells you something, you have to deal with it.
“I use a monitoring system that monitors everything that my children do online and I can check anytime I need to. I have an agreement with my children, they know it’s there.
“If my child is being particularly secretive or sullen, I might go there to find out what’s going on in their life that they won’t possibly tell me face to face.
“I can then perhaps strike up a conversation.”
Since the death of her daughter Sarah at the hands of paedophile Roy Whiting in 2000, Mrs Payne has become a prominent campaigner for victims’ rights.
Mrs Payne, who took up her Government-appointed post at the end of January, made her comments as she launched Real Radio’s Websafe campaign.
Additional article: Spy to protect web kids
