Checking IM messages

[Karel]

Isn't there a way to track my son/daugter's instant messages? Can anyone tell me how to do this?

Thanks.

 

[Sparx]

Open up the window with their contacts list in it. And then go to tools, and options and "save all conversations" that will save every conversation into a folder on your pc.

 

[Karel]

OK, so then, how do I go in and find that folder?

 

[Sparx]

It should be in my documents?

 

[cruisnfamily]

Open up the window with their contacts list in it. And then go to tools, and options and "save all conversations" that will save every conversation into a folder on your pc.

It's really that easy I never knew how to do that so I installed google desktop search. Desktop search serves my purpose but I must say it's a huge pain and isn't easy. I'm going to try your suggestion and see if it works? Do you have to have aol? We have instant messenger thru aim, we don't have aol and sometimes when I talk to my girlfriend who actually has aol, her buddy list and options are all different than mine are. You're saying this "tools" and "options" are on the buddy list, right?

 

[cruisnfamily]

OK, i just checked and I don't have these choices at all. I apparently can't do this. Maybe because I don't actually have aol.

I don't have "tools" I do have "edit options" but nothing in there applies(believe me I've tried!)

I just spent many minutes reading the help files and searching but it appears the only option I have is to click "save" during each conversation to save it. That's not useful at all.

If I'm missing something please tell me how to do it! I'd love to have some kind of log of all messages.

Thanks!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

There is a special software that will record all keystrokes, websites, etc. I'll look for it and try to post the name for you. Its supposed to be excellent.

My DSis is PTA pres and has an FBI agent come speak to the parents on internet safety every year. He personally feels every parent should have this type of software. I am not siding one way or another nor am I saying that the FBI is specifically condoning this.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Found it: Its called E-blaster. I'm sure there are others this is just the one I was thinking of. Good Luck!!

 

[jsmith]

im sorry this is going to sound very harsh-but im a computer and internet security specialist for a defense contractor-you shouldnt need to check the content of your daughters IMs-she shouldnt even have an account-NO child under the age of 16 should have an IM account unless the parents are going to watch every time they log on-unforunately you cant do that since messenger clients are available on public computers everywhere. Im saying that despite the fact that my sons had them-i just know alot more now than i did then. Not only are they a risk to your child they are a risk to your personal security since they give other im account users access to your pc if you dont have a really good firewall, spyware and virus protection. They are a wonderful tool in the right hands and a night mare in the wrong one.

 

[cruisnfamily]

So, can anybody step by step me thru how to do this if it's an option for us non-aol aim users?

I'd love to set up a log and get rid of google desktop search.

 

[Karel]

What I want to do is through AOL IM. I'm not sure if you can do it if you don't use the AOL IM.

I totally understand what jsmith is saying about the dangers of IM but I think there can be a balance. By recording their activity, I think I can achieve that balance.

 

[Chris2597]

I had the ability to check my kids Aol mess. a couple of years ago....but, unfortunately a new aol was loaded on the computer and I lost what was called Log Manager. It brought up everyone that im on my computer and I could read there messages for several weeks....I have no idea how to get that back....I checked in every so often to keep an eye on things,but actually found the conversations very innocent and silly...but it doesnt hurt to check....I do the same with MYspace.

 

[Marseeya]

I purchased a product called Nalsoft AIM logger (google it). You can try it free, but then it's only $15 to purchase it and so worth it!

I'd downloaded it for free last summer, but then we never got around to buying it. Finally in January I decided to go ahead and buy it. It had kept recording the conversations all that time since last summer!

It does NOT support the new AIM Triton. They'll be releasing a version for that soon. DS doesn't like AIM Triton, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he'll continue using the older program.

Another option is to get your DD to switch to Trillian. Trillian is a chat program that works with several other chats -- AIM, MSN, ICQ, IRC, Yahoo. You can save logs in Trillian and then access them from a different folder.

 

[cruisnfamily]

What I want to do is through AOL IM. I'm not sure if you can do it if you don't use the AOL IM.

We have aol im, but we don't have aol as our internet service. The buddy list and choices are different on aol im when you have aol vs when you don't have aol as your internet service. That's what I was asking, can I do it with aol im when I don't actually have aol?

 

[cruisnfamily]

I purchased a product called Nalsoft AIM logger (google it). You can try it free, but then it's only $15 to purchase it and so worth it!

Do you actually have aol as your service provider? I wonder if this product will work for me. I'm off to google it. Thanks!

 

[ckay87]

Do you guys tell your kids that you're monitoring their conversations? I'm purely curious. I'd like to do this as well, but I'm thinking I would tell my son first, to be fair. Something like "look, IM all you want, but I'm going to be sure you're not doing inappropriate or dangerous garbage with my computer."

EDITED to add...PLEASE--do not bash me. I am purely curious. I'm fairly new to parenting a teenager, so I need all the help and support I can get!

 

[Marseeya]

Do you guys tell your kids that you're monitoring their conversations? I'm purely curious. I'd like to do this as well, but I'm thinking I would tell my son first, to be fair. Something like "look, IM all you want, but I'm going to be sure you're not doing inappropriate or dangerous garbage with my computer."

EDITED to add...PLEASE--do not bash me. I am purely curious. I'm fairly new to parenting a teenager, so I need all the help and support I can get!

I mentioned it in passing a long time ago when he first started using the computer, but didn't use chat yet. I said something like, "I reserve the right to monitor your computer use," and never said another word about it ever again. Is it my fault he forgot?

And no, I won't tell him about it now.

 

[snowwhitesmom]

Interesting thread

 

[Sparx]

I used to use MSN and that was how I did it on msn messenger 7.0 beta. I now use windows messenger and i've looked btu I can't find how to save the convos on this.

 

[Marseeya]

I used to use MSN and that was how I did it on msn messenger 7.0 beta. I now use windows messenger and i've looked btu I can't find how to save the convos on this.

So, how do you feel about all this checking of the chats?