05-31-2020, 03:50 PM
Hi all,
I thought I'd share how I'm setting up FM for my 2 kids who do online homeschooling.
I find there is a learning curve to using FM with kids - you have to set up a few plans, let them run, see how they behave and how the kids are helped or hindered by them. You also have to monitor their use of the computer and see where they are getting distracted and then add plans accordingly. It is an open discussion - the kids know it is for their benefit to have the FM working, and giving them their allowed time without the temptation to go over. It isn't so much a control as guidance. We discuss what they need out of their time on the computer and come to agree on what is reasonable, and make plans accordingly. I also make sure they know that if there is need of a pause, altering of a plan etc, that it is an ongoing conversation that they are welcome to contribute to.
First kid - 11y/o who needs a lot of guide rails when it comes to computer use. Parent is fully in charge of FM and dashboard is PW protected:
I thought I'd share how I'm setting up FM for my 2 kids who do online homeschooling.
I find there is a learning curve to using FM with kids - you have to set up a few plans, let them run, see how they behave and how the kids are helped or hindered by them. You also have to monitor their use of the computer and see where they are getting distracted and then add plans accordingly. It is an open discussion - the kids know it is for their benefit to have the FM working, and giving them their allowed time without the temptation to go over. It isn't so much a control as guidance. We discuss what they need out of their time on the computer and come to agree on what is reasonable, and make plans accordingly. I also make sure they know that if there is need of a pause, altering of a plan etc, that it is an ongoing conversation that they are welcome to contribute to.
First kid - 11y/o who needs a lot of guide rails when it comes to computer use. Parent is fully in charge of FM and dashboard is PW protected:
- Skype limit plan - lets him check his skype for 15 min, limited launch to 5x/day. Notifications are blocked (via skype settings) so there is not messages popping up when he gets a text.
- Internet browsing plan - time limit internet browser to 30 min/day, 7 days/week - unlimited launches. white listed sites needed for school.
- Videogame time limit - 3 hours/week - all allowed video games (apps and webites) are included on this plan.
- Skype limit plan (as above)
- Gmail plan - Gmail is only allowed at certain specified times of the school day, so that he isn't checking it all the time.
- block internet browser use during online class time - to prevent him drifting off on other tabs when he should be attending online classes.
