Limit a child's time on computer

[Jud McCranie]

I want to limit my child's time on the computer per day. Is there
some way I can set it up so she can use it for a total of say, two
hours per day? When her time is up for the day, it will stop
executing for her. The computer needs to continue running.

Is there a way to do this in Windows XP? If not, is there software
for it?

 

[Susan]

Years ago when I had AOL, they had a parentals control feature and you could
limit the time with that. You might want to check with your ISP and find
out if they will provide anything first.

 

[Jud McCranie]

Years ago when I had AOL, they had a parentals control feature and you could
limit the time with that. You might want to check with your ISP and find
out if they will provide anything first.

I want it to limit total time on the computer, including playing games
from the HD and CDs.

 

[Doug]

http://www.softwaretime.com/

Works great, been using for a year now!

Doug

 

[Alias]

I want it to limit total time on the computer, including playing games
from the HD and CDs.

Talk to the kid. Trying to outsmart your child with technology is stupid.

Alias

 

[PA Bear]

I want it to limit total time on the computer, including playing games
from the HD and CDs.

It's seldom that Alias and I agree on anything. This time we do: Just Say
No. If the kid disobeys you, it's time for some tough love: Remove all
online privileges.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I want to limit my child's time on the computer per day. Is there
some way I can set it up so she can use it for a total of say, two
hours per day? When her time is up for the day, it will stop
executing for her. The computer needs to continue running.

Is there a way to do this in Windows XP? If not, is there software
for it?

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783

HOW TO Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q308418

HOW TO Use the Internet Explorer 6 Content Advisor to Control Access
to Web Sites in Internet Explorer
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310401

Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp

Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sharedaccess/default.mspx

Doug Knox's Windows® XP Security Console
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm

For some requirements, you may find it easier to invest in a
3rd-party solution, such as NetNanny or CyberPatrol.

You need to be aware, however, that *NO* technical or software
solution is fool-proof, and *none* can ever take the place of live adult
supervision. If you cannot trust your child to safely/properly use the
computer without supervision, you may have to consider limiting his/her
access to it.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Vanguard]

I want to limit my child's time on the computer per day. Is there
some way I can set it up so she can use it for a total of say, two
hours per day? When her time is up for the day, it will stop
executing for her. The computer needs to continue running.

Is there a way to do this in Windows XP? If not, is there software
for it?

If you are trying to limit usage then it is highly likely that you also
want to limit content. There is lots of control- and censorware
available but software doesn't replace your responsibility as a parent.
Put the computer in a common area, like the living room or somewhere
there is no privacy in the use of the computer, so the child knows they
will be monitored by YOU.

There is no software solution that can outdo the proclivity of idle
children to undo. If you have a router, see if it has options to
allow/disallow connections (usually by MAC address) at certain time;
however, Windows XP lets users change their MAC address, so you might
want to see if access time can be restricted by the port to which the
kid's computer is connected but then you need to lockup the cable modem
and router so the kid doesn't switch to another port.

Just take the computer out of the kid's room.

 

[Jud McCranie]

It's seldom that Alias and I agree on anything. This time we do: Just Say
No. If the kid disobeys you, it's time for some tough love: Remove all
online privileges.

We have agreed on the maximum number of hours per day. I don't want
to have to keep track of it manually. The computer should be able to
do that for me.

 

[Jud McCranie]

http://www.softwaretime.com/

Works great, been using for a year now!

Thanks, I'll check it out. I want to limit the time. (I don't need
to limit the content because I can hear what she is doing.)

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

If you can hear what she is doing, why can't you also monitor the amount of
time? I agree with the others that your direct involvement is important. My
own family had a TV time limit for each child, we were required to keep or
own logs, it was entirely based upon the honor system and it worked for the
most part. But, of course, parental involvement to prevent cheating was
occasionally required, and the cost of cheating was made sufficiently
horrendous (no TV for a week or two) that we seldom were tempted.

That said, several options have been offered here, though I admit that most
of them are of the Net Nanny sort, not controlling total time logged in.
Please try those solutions first. I could write a script that would do what
you want, but I have better things to do. FYI it would look something like
this:

--Child has own limited User account, with the standard restrictions of no
access to the Registry, no access to system files, etc.
--Script starts when child logs on.
--If childtime.log doesn't exist, make one. If file exists and date/time
modified is not today, delete it and create a new one. If file has today's
date, compare according to below.
-- The script would then reside in the background and write a new time-stamp
line each minute. It would then add the total time represented (one minute
per line) and log the child off when the total hits two hours. Trying to log
on again would result in the script running and immediately logging the
child off again.

 

[Opinicus]

Talk to the kid. Trying to outsmart your child with technology is stupid.

Concur. Kids are smarter than technology.

 

[M8RIX]

I use the following product and I am very pleased with it's performance.

I think it was around $30.00

(As copied from the help file):

KidsWatch Time ControlTM is one of America’s leading parental control
software packages that allows you to limit and control the time your
children spend on the computer, access the Internet or play games. Time
Control helps you block installation of unwanted software, prevents overuse,
and allows you to balance your child’s day.

With KidsWatch Time Control you can:

· Limit Internet surfing, chatting and game playing to a time and
duration appropriate for each child

· Schedule the number of hours each child can use the computer, per
day or by week

· Automatically log your child out of their computer when it’s time
for lights out

· Block younger siblings from gaining access to the Internet

· Lock down the computer to prevent your child from pirating music
or installing inappropriate software

· Easily share computer time among siblings

The combinations are endless! Mix and match the time, duration and program
options for each child and create the schedules that suit your family’s
needs. KidsWatch Time Control helps you have command over the time and
activity your children spend on the computer and the Internet. Help your
kids stay away from trouble and take the next step to parental supervision –
computer supervision.

http://kidswatch.com/

P.S. I am not affilliated with the company in any way; I just like their
product. I do not get anything for reccomending it to you.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

It's seldom that Alias and I agree on anything. This time we do: Just Say
No. If the kid disobeys you, it's time for some tough love: Remove all
online privileges.

Tough love: smack the brat hard enough to hurt

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

We have agreed on the maximum number of hours per day. I don't want
to have to keep track of it manually. The computer should be able to
do that for me.

Yeah, sure. Make the computer responsible for your inability to be a
good parent.

 

[BillW50]

Tough love: smack the brat hard enough to hurt

If you want to smack anybody Uncle Grumpy, I'm 6'1" and 227 pounds.
Let's do it. Although I bet you are nothing but a low life coward.

 

[GHalleck]

We have agreed on the maximum number of hours per day. I don't want
to have to keep track of it manually. The computer should be able to
do that for me.

Disagree. The child needs to learn to be responsible for keeping time.
It also means developing a trusting relationship between you and your
child. If it is impossible to develop something this simple, then one
needs to seriously consider the deeper implications of misbehavior at
an older age.

 

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per Jud McCranie:

We have agreed on the maximum number of hours per day. I don't want
to have to keep track of it manually. The computer should be able to
do that for me.

Are you running XP or 2000?

If so, the first thing I'd do is set up separate userids for
myself and the other person - with separate passwords.

I'm thinking that there has tb something in XP and/or 2000 that
times out a userid based on clock time/calendar day.

If nothing else, somebody could write a batch file that does
that... but my feeling is that if somebody started a thread on
something like "How To Limit Logon Time For UserID", something
would shake out.

 

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per M8RIX:

With KidsWatch Time Control you can:

This discussion begs a question: does anybody know of a key
logging utility that would compliment a time regulation utility?

I'm thinking of young kids who are blogging and/or participating
in various discussion groups - and who should have their content
monitored from time-to-time.

 

[M8RIX]

With the web filtering version of Time Control (Which I have) you can block
access based on type of site. e.g. No forums, no Myspace, no Youtube,
no adult content, no IM sites, no shopping sites etc...