Finding past AIM conversations Q. My daughter is the queen of instant messaging. She uses AIM. Can I see to whom she's talking and what is being said? A. I've received messages like this from other parents, as well. Sometimes, we assume that everything is secretly recorded. That is not true with AIM. However, there are third party programs that can record your daughter's instant messaging for you. These include parental control programs IamBigBrother ($30), PC Tattletale ($50) and eBlaster ($100). All can run invisibly on the computer. These programs use a keylogger, which records every keystroke. The result is a lot of information to wade through. However, they can be set to record instant messaging only, if you want. Information gathered can include passwords. Some programs send results to your e-mail account. Others provide results through a special Web site. IamBigBrother can record instant messaging, e-mail and visited Web site addresses. The results are available through the IamBigBrother program using a password. You can also get results through the developer's Web site. PC Tattletale can record instant messaging, chat rooms, e-mail and any programs used. It also takes screenshots so you can see exactly what your daughter sees. The results are available through the PC Tattletale program using a password. EBlaster can record instant messaging, chat rooms, e-mail, visited Web site addresses and any programs used. The results are available through the eBlaster program using a password. You can also have results delivered to your e-mail account. Again, you do not have to use every feature. I suggest you limit the recording. Otherwise, you could be overwhelmed with data. For parents whose children use Yahoo! Messenger or MSN Messenger, there is an easier way. Both programs can be set to record and save conversations automatically. These are not secrets. But some children, especially young kids, probably won't know about these features. In Yahoo! Messenger, click Messenger>>Preferences. Then click Archive on the left menu. In MSN Messenger, click Tools>>Options. Select Messages from the left menu. The feature is under "Message History."

 I know for fact, the only other way to truly monitor your teen is to sit beside or behind them all of the time.  They can click to close a window in a second. My 13 yr old daughter is good about staying within her friends list, and I do have access to her list. When she gets  a little older I know it will not be so easy.  You think about all the sexual preditors and such that can talk to our kids! It is so scary to me and I try to over protect sometimes.
We love our childlren we must protect as much as we can.
I will surely take a look at the programs.
Thanks!
Saundra