[M.D. Holloway]

Disagree with the times - things are different, they are always going to be different. many years ago the kid did or didn't do things because of external and internal pressure. They didn't do many stupid things for pressure of punishment or they did stupid things because of boredom or peer pressure. Thats a real deal.

Yes, I consider it an invasion of privacy but then again until they are 18 and more on to 21 they have no privacy in my opinion. They have given me little to no reason not to trust them but they are also going to understand that I shall know of all the good, bad and ugly that occurs. Years ago kids feared God or Santa as a sort of police. Parents would also rat out kids as well. That doesn't seem to be the case but there is a need for some sort of monitoring.

I can't say I will be using any of this software. I read my son's and daughters texts from time to time. Am I invading their privacy? Yup, I am.

The concept that Dad is going to be keeping an eye on you isn't new. I told them prior to cell phones that we know plenty of people in this little town and I make it very well know that if a parent or teacher witnesses or even hears about something they do (good or bad) I want to hear about it. Luckly they have never gotten into any mischief that is of considerable concern. They know eyes are on them and so be it. Isn't that the way a society helps raise a kid?

StoMo, I've met your kiddos, you are fortunate to have some amzing kids. really. the chances of them doing anything of bigtime stupid are remote. Harddrive, while I have never met your daughter I shall assume she is a slice off of your shoulder and a stand up kiddo. No reason not to think so.

Now I will well imagine that you both have taken time, to great lengths to to instill upon them a certain amount of values and judgements. It shall serve them well. I wish other parents did the same. Sadly that is not the case.

I don't really know if this software is harmful or helpful. All I know is that my Mom had eyes in back of her head and she knew when we F'd up. Could it have been the neighborhood bittys ratting us out? Maybe she over heard telephone conversations? Maybe it was my brother? May it was a mothers 6th sense?

Either way, information was taken in and action was taken. If I thought for a minute that I could get away with a very small infraction, I might try. And with success who knows maybe I would push a little further and so on and so on.

Kids that go down a bad road don't immediately do it. Its a transistion. You don't go straight to heroin. It typically starts with pot and proceeds. Thats proven again and again. Well, actions are no different.

The threat of punishment is often greater than the actual punishment. So the idea that you actions MAY be witnessed by Mom and Dad sure may make a kid think twice?

I don't know, am I just fooling myself? Am I falling vic to the marketing ploys of an oppressive society? Am I being set up to allow big brother into my soul?