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Location, Location, Location
Where it is is where it’s at. Appropriately locating computers in the home is probably the most important and most effective protective action you can take without any expense or extra tools.
Under no circumstances should computers be located in bedrooms. If you’ve already fallen into this trap, you need to undo it. Explain to the kids that the bedroom needs to remain a place of private space, not a place of interacting with the world. It exists for one of two reasons: peaceful sleep or personal privacy.
A computer cannot be allowed to detract from sleep because good sleep is simply too important to good health, good grades and good life. Good sleep is a strong requirement for happiness and by gum, this family is going to be happy!
The bedroom also servers as a private space to retreat to when we want time to ourselves; a place where we can have our own private enjoyments free from distractions of the rest of the world. A computer does the opposite.
Why is location so important?
A person using a computer in a common family area is going to have a far less sense that this is a private, secret activity. They are far less likely to engage in risky chat or download questionable files. The computer becomes more like the television and less like a private connection to anyone we happen to come across on the net.
If you can make it work in your home, the living room is the ideal location for the family computer. Your goal is to have seen as one more appliance with the tv and stereo.
If you cannot make the computer fit into the living room, then it is still best if you can find a way to work it into a main floor common area. A computer in the basement or in a separate office tend to have many of the same psychological influences as in the bedroom. While it does not feel completely private or safe from discovery, it does lend itself to developing secretive behaviors on the belief that anything can be blanked or covered when footsteps are approaching. But, if there is no other choice, these are still better than a bedroom.
Note it is also important that the machine be called and accepted as the “family computer.” It is better to deal with a petulant teenager who wants her “own” computer than one who has her own and is exposed. It is easier to justify not buying something expensive for a single family member than it is to get them to give up some control of it after the fact.
Because we live in a pretty affluent world in the west, many parents have already purchased a computer of “their own” for their children. Sticky wicket. If you can find some gain to offset the move of the computer the move may still be difficult, but less so. For example, if your teen is athletic, possibly taking the space for a new cycle machine or other piece of athletic equipment would help. It they are into astronomy, a new telescope aimed through the bedroom window might do it. Taking into account your child’s real interests, if you can move the computer and replace it with something directly related to those interests, then when he comes home rather than presenting him with a computer move you can present him with a surprise. The computer move was simply incidental
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More than one computer?
Having more than one computer in the house introduces some complications, but it can also be of significant help. If the computers are not already linked a home network, doing so is not beyond your a bility. Easily connect your new computer- 20% off . Even the free version will get you the basic setup through very easy to follow steps.
We can recommend Network Magic because the registered version provides security for sharing files and folders between computers in your home without risking sharing them with the world, it performs scans of your network to detect problems including security issues, and it makes maintaining your network enjoyable. We at least urge you to try the free download. Even for those who already have connected machines using Windows tools or other, you will find Network Magic with its visual
Once linked in a home network, all sharing the internet connection, the justification for protective tools and behaviors is that much stronger.
As far a location goes, you still need to keep computers out of the bedrooms. It will not help your cause if you insist on having your own computer in your bedroom but keep the kids’ computers out of their bedrooms. They will see double-standard and no amount of explanation about the different responsibilities of adults and youth is going to get it out of their heads. Don’t argue the point. Get your computer out of your bedroom. Besides your bedroom too should be a place of refuge and private enjoyments. Of course you can always get a laptop and use it wherever you like (for goodness sake, do not get your children laptops until they are in college!)
If you have three or more computers, the basement or family room often is the only option. But again, there can be advantages. The arrangement will mean frequently more than one family member will be on the computer at the same time. This introduces a social element that computer use normally blocks. It provides a psychological check against risky behaviour.
It also provides one more rationale for moving the computers. You want to build a family network and the most effective way of doing that is by getting them relatively close together. There are many good reasons to network the family computers, including efficient sharing of the internet connection, sharing hard drive resources, ease of transferring files among one another, easier upgrading/updating of software and so on.
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