Key loggers are a good replacement for taking an active role in your child's life instead of actually having to be there.

I do not know if this is just prevalent where I live or if this is a common thing everywhere.

There have been several times, while working for the small IT company, that I have had a customer come in and request us to put a keylogger on a computer system.



When asked why they want a keylogger, they tell us that their kid is talking with people online and they want to know what is being said by both parties (we have to inform them it does not capture incoming text, only things typed on the keyboard). When asked why they can't just ask their child about who they are talking to and what they are talking about, they say "I do not want them to know". Way to go, path of least resistance parent. Why don't you pick the lock on their diary or ramsack their room for their personal journal? I jest, but I am sure that any parent who feels the need to place a keylogger on the computer would not have any issues with going through a diary.

When a computer with access to the net is available to a kid, a parent must be diligent in keeping tabs on  what their kid is doing online and instructing them on the dangers lurking out on the web. Be active with your child and let them know that you will be checking in on them from time to time. Keep the computer in a common area of the house where they can not hide behind a closed door and anyone might walk by at any moment. But above and beyond it all, just communicate with your kid. Taking an active role in their lives will keep them out of more trouble than hiding a keylogger will.