To think people should monitor their kids internet?

[doesthisseemright]

Ds (6) has been playing out this weekend and has met loads of neighbourhood kids. They spend most time outside but ther have dashed into eachother's houses for 10 minutes or so.(Other kids' toys and rooms are great).

So ds tells me last night that his new friend has a computer in her room and that they put it on for a minute and she said she was "not supposed to" but wanted to show him a youtube clip of someone having a baby. She is 7.

I really dont fancy my 6 year old being exposed to whatever might come next. (or before iykwim) He said he didnt want to see it as it was "mucky" and I explained that someone having a baby wasnt a horrible thing but that Id rather show him or be with him when he saw that (or at least not when he is 6 ffs). What worries me is whatever else she might want to have a sneaky look at.

I dont know what to do short of telling him not to go into the other kids' houses but I sure wish these bloody parents would monitor their kids' internet.

Yeah sure I want to. But in reality kids are so bloody good at it. It's not always 100% possible.

At least it wasn't porn. It could have been worse.

I missed the bit about the computer in room. That is just stupid. And naive of the parents. Dd has a 10 year old friend that spend sheer life in her room on web cam chatting to anyone and everyone.

Im surprised she got on. Everytime I go on youtube and click something like that , there is a process...clicking on access. (isnt there?)

sofabitch thats my point, it could have been!

Totally sofabitch ...a 7 year old with one in her room is a bit much imo

Definitely something to monitor! Not just the content but even something as basic as the amount of time a child spends in front of a screen!

What are the parents going to do when the child starts getting homework? How can they prevent the child from staying up all night online? This is a nightmare.

My nipper is 10 and I don't let him have a computer in his room. I like to be able to at least check in on him. I'd dread to think what he'd be viewing otherwise.

P.S. I don't even let DH have a TV in our room, as I know bhe would be trying to watch it at night, just like he tries to keep the light on and read in bed. Bedrooms are for sleeping!

Not sure what you can do about the situation at your DS's friend's house, though, other than tell the parents you aren't happy about the possibility that your son will be exposed to something you don't want him to see. Make very certain to concentrate on the effect on your DS, though, otherwise you are judging their parenting. Maybe follow it up with some talk about getting exercise, socialising, the possibility of having homework to do soon, so it wouldn't do to get him too much in the habit of playing online....?

Problem is I dont really know the parents. Dont even know their names. I think I will just tell him not to go into people's houses (bit rich as we always have loads here)

Is he frightened of scary things on television? Maybe you could explain that he might see something unexpectedly frightening if he plays about with YouTube without any adult present.

Have a look at , to see how something "innocent", like In the Night Garden, can be subverted. This is not the only example of the sort of subversion/ mash-up which YouTube is full of. And then imagine how menacing Derek Jacobi's narration will seem, forever after!