Computer For Thai Teenager

[NanLaew]

The step daughter made first place at school and apparently was promised a computer if she did... news to me, but I digress! She is a very bright kid and certainly has improved her school grades these past 3 years. So far, no interest in the boys!

At the moment, I am the only computer user in the house and plan connecting her through my secure wi-fi setup. That way she won't have an excuse to be stuck in her room when she's online.

Is there any Thai language 'internet nanny' type software that is recommended? The machine, like all of mine, will be networked, firewalled and covered with full AV and malware trappers.

I have a couple of spare laptops running licensed XP Pro in English and I could get her started on one of those. Is XP configurable into Thai without a reinstallation or too much work? I can always get an external Thai keyboard if it is and start her off quick and easy.

Otherwise, I may get her something new locally, like a netbook with Win 7. Am I correct in assuming that it will come with a Thai version of the o/s but can be 'hot-swapped' between Thai and English?

Any other things I need to consider with a Thai teenager getting online for the first time? Thai social networks to avoid? Good internet practices for first-timers?

I think I am about to expand my limited knowledge of written Thai!

[RKASA]

Just get her a netebook with win7 and turn her loose - she will be teaching you shortly.

The internet in Thailand is censored or did you miss that. The government has her completely protected from the evil that lurks - fear not then and trust the government.

The internet does not make kids bad - bad kids find things on the internet - just like they do drugs at school - like the song says - "hold on loosly -but don't let go".:jap:

[sulasno]

IE 8 has a built in nanny and there's an extension for firefox

[CharlieH]

Yes you can flip languages in the regional settings.

[ETatBKK]

ah ah . . . I have a similar project for my 10+ niece and nephew :-)

get her a Windows 7 to start with !! it is more easy and joyful for a kid ! you don't want to teach her the 10 year old XP syntax and interface :-) not that expensive, starting from THB10,000++

a wireless connection is definitely promoting the comfort level, yet try to encourage using the computer at the living room, it is about sharing and is not about monitoring. a new computer is not far away from a Nintendo game, send the kid away :-(

there are lot of learning from the western world, about coaching kids for their first computers . . . my first concern - security and parental control. Norton 360 does a good job, I deliberately get an English version :-)

[tonititan]

The internet in Thailand is censored or did you miss that. The government has her completely protected from the evil that lurks - fear not then and trust the government.

The internet does not make kids bad - bad kids find things on the internet - just like they do drugs at school - like the song says - "hold on loosly -but don't let go".:jap:

The danger isn't really in the "bad" websites that are blocked in Thailand. The real danger comes from the people (particularly men) that a teenage girl can "meet" online, through social networking sites, forums, chat rooms, or dating sites. It's not just bad kids that find bad things on the internet - it's also naive kids (which most are), kids who are very trusting of strangers (which most are), and innocent kids who don't understand how easy it is for a 40 year old man to set up a profile and present himself as a 15 year old boy.

[RKASA]

The internet in Thailand is censored or did you miss that. The government has her completely protected from the evil that lurks - fear not then and trust the government.

The internet does not make kids bad - bad kids find things on the internet - just like they do drugs at school - like the song says - "hold on loosly -but don't let go".:jap:

The danger isn't really in the "bad" websites that are blocked in Thailand. The real danger comes from the people (particularly men) that a teenage girl can "meet" online, through social networking sites, forums, chat rooms, or dating sites. It's not just bad kids that find bad things on the internet - it's also naive kids (which most are), kids who are very trusting of strangers (which most are), and innocent kids who don't understand how easy it is for a 40 year old man to set up a profile and present himself as a 15 year old boy.

That comes under the don't let go part. Have an open talk about it . If they are smart enough to operate a PC they will understand. You did teach them to cross the street and not get into other peoples cars - whats the difference?.

My point about the censorship is a joke - as is the censorship.

[Mario2008]

Put the computer in the living room, so you can always see waht see is doing.

[Bakseedaa]

The internet in Thailand is censored or did you miss that. The government has her completely protected from the evil that lurks - fear not then and trust the government.

The internet does not make kids bad - bad kids find things on the internet - just like they do drugs at school - like the song says - "hold on loosly -but don't let go".:jap:

The danger isn't really in the "bad" websites that are blocked in Thailand. The real danger comes from the people (particularly men) that a teenage girl can "meet" online, through social networking sites, forums, chat rooms, or dating sites. It's not just bad kids that find bad things on the internet - it's also naive kids (which most are), kids who are very trusting of strangers (which most are), and innocent kids who don't understand how easy it is for a 40 year old man to set up a profile and present himself as a 15 year old boy.

That comes under the don't let go part. Have an open talk about it . If they are smart enough to operate a PC they will understand. You did teach them to cross the street and not get into other peoples cars - whats the difference?.

My point about the censorship is a joke - as is the censorship.

I agree completely, teach your daughter the dangers and let her cross the road on her own... help to set her up in the real world... I`m sure she is a lovely and clever young lady and with your guidance will never turn to the dark side.... trust her...!

[Bakseedaa]

Put the computer in the living room, so you can always see waht see is doing.

Yes Mario, and why not handcuff her at the same time... Oh, and Don`t forget the chastity belt...!!!

[bangkokcitylimits]

Stop worrying so much !

[astral]

I agree with Mario, a public place in the house for use is best.

Warn her about giving out too much information on social networking sites, like Facebook.

First name only, no address, phone number, school etc.

[WarpSpeed]

I agree with Mario, a public place in the house for use is best.

Warn her about giving out too much information on social networking sites, like Facebook.

First name only, no address, phone number, school etc.

Yep, after all it's not just her security your protecting as she is using a computer from your location as well..

[NanLaew]

Thanks for all the advice and recommendations; all very much appreciated.

The wi-fi hookup is purely for the convenience of not having to run wires to the other side of the house. Having wi-fi will allow her to use it in her bedroom but we will encourage her to use it in the lounge and elsewhere. I use a spare laptop out in the gazebo on cooler evenings so I hope I set an example and she doesn't stay in her room.

Regarding the hardware, one of the spare laptops could be configured as a dual-boot XP machine; one (original) install in English and the new installation in Thai. The advice on the ease of Win7 versus the predecessors is noted. I am still learning the capabilities on my first Win7 build which I use primarily for multimedia and streaming UK and US TV in my "retreat". Can Win7 toggle between Thai and English? Is there a service pack style update to make the standard Win7 English install switch to Thai? That way if there's technical issues, I can revert to English and sort things out. That was also the reason behind the dual-boot concept if I go with the spare XP laptop option.

[whimsy]

In my house we just use an English installation of Windows with a Thai keyboard so that they can type in Thai.

If you need the menus, help files and dialog boxes in Thai as well, then see the Microsoft Windows 7 official language help here. This will only make the Windows software itself appear in Thai, not the installed applications. Each user account can have their own display language setting. You will need the expensive Ultimate edition for multi display language support (or a hack).

[BngkkB]

Make sure that her sign in account in to Windows is not an Administrator's level account.

[Crushdepth]

If your router allows, you could impose time restrictions on internet usage to ensure she can't use it when you're not home and/or supervising. But frankly if she's got a mobile and she's smart, she's going to have internet access even if you disconnect your ADSL.

Just give her a good discussion about How Not To Be Stupid On The Internet and let her burn her own fingers. She'll figure it out.

[fatfather]

I set up my kids (11/14) computer with myself as administrator, the kids account is under "parental control". It limits online times and blocks "bad" internet pages. If one of my kids like to go to a blocked website they have to ask me, I can open it. We discuss the case and I will allow access, or not... and I explain my reasons. The kids accept this way and by the time I ease the restrictions, but I'm still the one who is in control. It works well for us.

fatfather