New technology can be your helper if you have a youngster who spends a lot of time on the internet.

Let me give an example. He noticed his 13-year-old stepdaughter was spending more and more time on the internet. In addition, the former straight-A student was barely passing some of her classes. Concerned about what was transpiring during her online sessions, he purchased a software program that allowed him to record everything his daughter was doing on the internet.

Now before you yell, “Is there such a thing as personal privacy?” consider that this software led to the discovery that his stepdaughter was getting inappropriate messages from her 37-year-old middle school teacher.

The software discretely recorded messages, website visits and in fact every keystroke. Because the software recorded the e-mails and chat conversations between the girl and her teacher, it led to the arrest and conviction of the teacher. If you are concerned about the privacy aspect, tell your youngster that the software is on the computer and what it does.