Hi Guys,
thanks so much to all who have shared thir opinions, thoughts and experiences on this subject.
Thanks Les, I had even thought the same thing myself, that it is in fact the way things have moved - and 'yes', my kids do tell me that this type of language is fairly common among teachers. Dear me, - how things have changed in such a short period of time.
Thanks Marc for your thoughts. I certainly agree that it is an issue that needs to be sorted out at 'cause' level rather than just monitoring the 'effect'.
Jen, in general I'm not an abstainer from things '21st century', I've just never had a use for FB. I prefer, as others have suggested, talking face to face. Half sentences of heiroglyphics and indecipherable abbreviations doesn't really interest me all that much.
Scott, as you point out, they can access this stuff from mobile devices. They even get it free on most phones it seems. Thanks for your thoughts and good luck with your upcoming experience with your son.
Suzy, - are you sure hubby's not tracking you and what you're up to online?? Hey, you're right about the 'friending' - I don't get to see their private chats which is pretty much where all the 'stuff' happens.
Molly, thanks for your kind words. I really hope they do eventually appreciate our persistence. Let's face it, they're going to need all the help they can get if standards keep going downhill at this rate !
Peter/Poita, I've thought along those lines all along. They're never going to have 'puters in their bedrooms. We have two desktops in an open-to-view study, and a laptop which does actually go all over the house, but which is used mostly by my more sensible eldest daughter for homework. But thanks for the suggestion.
I think I've decided that the key logger option isn't really the way I want to go. I prefer to try to get him to understand that it doesn't have to be like this to be fun. I'm used to being a 'pooper' anyway, so a bit more won't harm.
Thanks once again to all for your thoughts and experiences.
All the best