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Parental Control Software Datamines Kids' Online Conversations

Posted by Soulskill on from the get-used-to-it-kids dept.

An AP report reveals that web-monitoring software from Sentry and FamilySafe, both developed by EchoMetrix Inc., is harvesting data from kids' online chats, trying to determine their opinions on games, movies, and music. The data is then sold to other companies for advertising purposes. "In June, EchoMetrix unveiled a separate data-mining service called Pulse that taps into the data gathered by Sentry software to give businesses a glimpse of youth chatter online. While other services read publicly available teen chatter, Pulse also can read private chats. It gathers information from instant messages, blogs, social networking sites, forums and chat rooms. ... Parents who don't want the company to share their child's information to businesses can check a box to opt out. But that option can be found only by visiting the company's Web site, accessible through a control panel that appears after the program has been installed. It was not in the agreement contained in the Sentry Total Home Protection program The Associated Press downloaded and installed Friday."

5 of 105 comments (clear)

  1. That is what you get by nurb432 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    When you delegate your parental responsibilities.

    --
    ---- Booth was a patriot ----
    1. Re:That is what you get by tinkertim · · Score: 5, Insightful

      When you delegate your parental responsibilities.

      As a parent of a three year old girl, I agree with you. However, standing over their shoulder the entire time they use a computer is not going to be very productive.

      I wish more parents would understand that you have about 8 years from the time that a kid is born to install a sense of confidence and worth in them that can't be easily (if at all) broken by future peers, predators or come what may. If you manage to do it, your kid will make good choices.

      No software is a substitute for a desire in a child to make good, positive self serving choices when they are confronted with the various bumps in growing up.

      What a world this police state is becoming, sheesh.

  2. Sue them. by Yvanhoe · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Seriously. EULA or not, this is invading the children privacies. There must be a law against this.

    --
    The Wise adapts himself to the world. The Fool adapts the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the Fool.
  3. Wonderful ... by krou · · Score: 4, Insightful

    FamilySafe: Protecting your kids, but not from us!

    --
    'If Christ had tweeted the sermon on the mount, it might have lasted until nightfall.' - John Perry Barlow
  4. Technology is a tool, not a substitute by Temujin_12 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    My wife and I view our responsibility as parents as very basic:

    1) Provide basic necessities an enjoyments of life (emphasis on necessities)
    2) Provide love and a feeling of trust and safety in the home
    3) Teach them a strong sense of identity and self-worth
    4) Teach our kids what choices are, how to recognize good from bad choices, and how to accept the consequences of you actions

    For computers, here's our strategy:

    1) Place computers in a open public place (including our own)
    2) Teach them that computers are a tool and how people use it for good and bad
    3) Openly discuss what acceptable and unacceptable behavior with computers/games are
    4) Limit time spent on computer
    5) As much as possible, don't create double standards
    6) Use OpenDNS and block certain sites depending on their age

    We feel parental technology should be used to reinforce what you're already teaching, not as a substitute.

    --
    Faith is a willingness to accept something w/o complete proof and to act on it. Reason allows you to correct that faith.