ChatChecker Family Edition: A Tool for Parents to Monitor and Protect Their Children Online

Strategic Insights -

As concerned parents grapple with the risks of internet predators and online safety, Tri Synergy has introduced the ChatChecker Family Edition, a software that allows parents to secretly monitor their children's online activity remotely from any PC with internet access. The software captures and records both sides of Instant Message and chat room conversations, working with popular platforms such as MySpace, AOL/AIM, MSN, Yahoo, GoogleTalk, Trillian, and more. This innovation comes amidst alarming statistics highlighting the vulnerability of children to online predators.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ChatChecker Family Edition is available for purchase at CompUSA and Amazon.com, with distribution to other major retail outlets forthcoming.
  • The software enables parents to track and record both sides of Instant Message and chat room conversations, providing them with a clear understanding of their child's online activity.
  • The software can be installed on up to six PCs (desktops and/or laptops) that parents want to monitor, and continues to track and record online activity even if the child takes their laptop out of the home.
  • ChatChecker includes an Acronym Dictionary to keep parents informed about modern online lingo, allowing them to set watchwords to alert them to concern terms.
  • The software is designed to inform parents about potential online dangers such as drug usage, alcohol, sex, bullying, suicide, and personal information sharing.

Statistics:

  • According to The National Center for Victims of Crime, the chance that a child will become a victim of a sex offender is 1 in 3 for girls and 1 in 6 for boys.
  • Statistics show that 9 out of 10 sexual solicitations were made in either chat rooms or instant messages.
  • 3 out of 5 children reported someone they met via instant messaging wanted to meet them in person.
  • By 18 years old, statistically one-fourth of girls and one-third of boys will experience a serious crime if they are online.

Sources:

  • The National Center for Victims of Crime
  • Pew study reported in JAMA
  • MSNBC Interactive