Today’s parents have their own concerns and fears that were not around when we were children. From cyberbullying to sexting, the rise of electronic technology among teens and tweens has made the role of a parent all the more challenging.
It is a difficult decision when to allow your child to have a mobile device, and an even bigger parenting challenge to ensure that the technology is being used properly and in the safest manner possible. As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that your child is not making themselves vulnerable or becoming a victim through the use of mobile technology.
One of the most effective ways to protect your child from misuse of their mobile device is by installing a monitoring software. An effective mobile monitoring software can alert the parent if potentially damaging or dangerous terms are being used in text messages. These monitoring software programs are further able to flag the codes or shorthand for these topics that teens and tweens are so often using in their text messages. TxtWatcher’s offers a mobile monitoring software that employs a translation engine for text messages. This allows text shorthand to quickly be translated and the parent notified if, and when, certain inappropriate topics or behaviors are being referenced.
Installing mobile monitoring software is a simple process. You will need to have physical access to your child’s mobile device in order to complete the installation. Because monitoring services, such as those offered by TxtWatcher are unobtrusive, in most cases the phone user does not even know there is a monitoring software installed. Instead the program simply does its job in the background, with no obtrusive installed app icon.
Using a software application to monitor your child’s mobile device goes beyond the old method of simply “snooping”. Many teens will delete messages that can be damaging in the event that a parent may find this on their phone. Additionally, there is something to be said for receiving real-time alerts when your child may be engaging in potentially damaging behavior. Alerts can be sent to the parent by email or text message to your own mobile device to ensure these are received virtually instantaneously.
Mobile monitoring software is able to capture and log text messages, multi-media messages, photos sent or received, phone numbers, and any attempts to disable the software. In most cases text messages remain logged, regardless of whether the mobile user deletes them.
Knowledge is key for parents in reducing and eliminating risky behavior that your child may be engaging in using their mobile device. By employing a software to monitor your child’s phone, you can ensure that you are doing everything as a parent to keep your child safe remotely.