Comments on: What every parent should know about the new Google browser.

By: Connor

Connor — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:20:20 +0000

Mr. Loblaw, that is a great point. Having your computer in a public place is a great at to minimize the temptation. I think it is great not only at home but at work when possible (may not be possible in your law practice).

By: Velska

Velska — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:39:47 +0000

BTW, there are still tools to follow every single package that is transmitted between your computer and a remote host. It just requires a little tinkering. And a separate firewall software can block specific addresses. So you can definitely know/control what is being viewed on *your* computer.

But like I said, make sure kids KNOW about the real dangers *before* they start hanging out on the Web, because they won’t always be on your computer. They have access in schools, libraries, friends’ homes etc. You can talk about the temptation and strengthen them before it happens. It may be “embarrassing” to talk about it, but I think it should be done.

By: Rusty Lindquist

Rusty Lindquist — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 06:14:16 +0000

Thanks for all the comments. Velska – good point, and for sure, the privacy feature does have acceptably valid uses, it’s just easily abused.

Bob, that website made me sick to my stomach. I’m glad I saw it, talk about a wake-up call, but still, ouch. And it’s likely far more pervasive today then when that was written.

To Pondering Pastor’s point, I am a little late in the game. Having spent my career online for the last 13 years, I should have been “earlier out” with info like this. But better late than never. I’ll have more posts soon regarding internet safety for families. If you have other interesting URL’s or sources of info and help for families, please comment.

By: Bob Loblaw

Bob Loblaw — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:40:43 +0000

While this feature is new to many PC users, Safari (Mac’s browser) has had a private browsing feature for years. (BTW it is the fastest browser out there and is now compatible with windows. Don’t waste your time with Chrome).

Rusty thanks for your efforts, I really enjoy the blog. I think the key to internet use is locating the computer in a main room of the house, using an effective content filter, and being willing to talk to your kids about the dangers of pornography addiction. This link contains some interesting statistics: http://www.safefamilies.org/sfStats.php

By: mormonsoprano

mormonsoprano — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:39:28 +0000

Thank you Rusty for making me aware of this. Velska offered an interesting benefit of the feature – however, for most using the browser it is going to open up another pornography pit to suck victims in. Children often experiment with something like this technology and then develop a serious addiction. Satan’s work is done in “dark and secret and hidden places”. This new technology offers a way to become ‘hidden’ even in brightest daylight. It’s good to be aware. Knowledge is power for parents & children…. unfortunately, informative posts like these also run the risk of becoming a l “how-to” lesson for participation. Ultimately though, it is very important to get the word out. So thanks again.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:46:49 +0000

I really appreciate all the info here. I have sent a link to this thread to my kids. My oldest grandson is 14 and getting into email, etc and his parents need to be aware of this. Maybe some genius programmer out there can find a way for parents to still be aware of what their kids are doing. All the teaching and example in the world doesn’t always overcome peer pressure and temptation.

By: Velska

Velska — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:33:16 +0000

I’m a geek and think that whatever you can do to increase parents’ tech savvy is good. Still, the kids are going to be away from home, too. So you have to talk to them about the *real* dangers in the world (many of them not found on the Internet).

BTW Incognito Browsing can save a life of a dissident in totalitarian country and there are much sneakier ways of pulling it off (your 16-yo son probably knows this). Anyway, it’s not all for pornography.

By: ponderingpastor

ponderingpastor — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:08:10 +0000

Rusty is right, and actually “behind the curve” just a bit. On my computer, I’ve had settings to delete cookies, history, etc. every time I close the browser. That way I’m not bogging down my system. This is not new, it is being made more convenient.

True story: I know a family whose teenage daughter was being pressured by friends into having sex with a boyfriend. She was getting so much pressure (usually using IM) that her father decided to get a key logger and screenshot program installed on her computer. The information gained in that way was helpful in supporting his daughter and influencing the direction she eventually took.

When it comes to your kids, you’ve got to be on top of things. They just don’t understand the danger.

Pondering Pastor

By: Connor

Connor — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:10:57 +0000

Rusty,

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I had heard that the IE (Internet Explorer) was also going to have this feature and it worried me.

It is a problem of enabling temptation. This just makes the temptation that much stronger because our kids and ourselves can think that we can’t get caught. That is one of the adversaries greatest lies.

By: Rusty Lindquist

Rusty Lindquist — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:38:34 +0000

LOL.

Yeah, the “stated” aim is so that you can do things like shop for gifts for your significant other without them knowing about it. Uh-huh.

In reality, this is a result of the browser war – a fight for market penetration. One browser wants to get a strategic advantage over another and figures if they offer “private browsing” whole bunches of people will jump on board for that reason alone. Then of course, the rest just follow suit.

P.S. If you belong to any social bookmarking sites, e.g. Stumble, Digg, Del.icio.us, Technoroti, etc. please add this page so that other parents can find it too.