violation of privacy?

[Desuetude]

My parents are a little overprotective and I was wondering if this is a little harsh and what I could do.

My parents have Norton online family safety minder on my laptop and have restricted the time to 4 hours school days and 5 weekends and after that time the computer shuts down. Im not to happy about that but I can.live with it for a couple of years I suppose.

With this Norton they can do ANYTHING they want. So they have blocked most websites, they can view Any search I make, any videos on YouTube and stuff can be monitored, social networking sites can be viewed and monitored (I think this includes vt so im very scared) and very recently I have a new rule saying any IM's I send can be viewed.

Now I have tried talking to them about the viewing what I look up and my IM's I just don't think it's necessary and they can already block anything they find inappropriate. But because they are divorced they say we need.to have a "family meeting" about it. I mean WTF it's just a way to gang up on me and bring up other subjects that I won't be able to get out talking about.

They switch wireless off at 10pm because of my phone but my computer has been set to go off at 9pm whatever time I have used on it. I have resorted to using vt on my phone even though it takes about an hour longer to type everything out I feel a lot safer.
Do you think this is a bit OTT, if so is there anything I can do?

[Christheman]

Yes. Yes it is. Put your foot down tell them you at least want some privacy

[Desuetude]

Yes. Yes it is. Put your foot down tell them you at least want some privacy

I have, they don't listen that's the problem. My dad is good with technology as well so he has all the latest software.

[TeddyBearRock]

Yes, I mean it's alright to block certain websites but seeing what you type that is OTT

[Desuetude]

Yes, I mean it's alright to block certain websites but seeing what you type that is OTT

I know lewis, that's why I posted this thread *facepalm* :P

[Desuetude]

Well, other than asking them every once in a while if you can have some privacy there's really nothing you can do. It's their property so if they wanna restrict it they can unfortunately.

Yeah that's what I was afraid of. Do you think if I brought my own laptop they could still do it. I just think I need some space, I don't need them knowing every little thing about me and if they are able to find out my username on vt then that's what's going to happen.

[Desuetude]

No I have the school ones but things can also be blocked and monitored and also I don't want friends asking questions. My parents don't like me walking round our town alone anyway so im never out so even getting to a library would be a problem and make them suspicious.

[TheMatrix]

If you have the money, you may want to invest in a netbook. Nothing fancy, but something that is yours. Make sure that you have the passwords and access. Hide it when you're away if you're afraid he'll try to install the stuff on it anyways.
And from what I guess, you can get around it pretty easily with task manager. Be careful though -- you may get into more trouble than it's worth.

[shadowhunter320]

theres really no getting out of it. as said above anything you buy is legally theirs. im sorry, idk what to say.

[Desuetude]

If you have the money, you may want to invest in a netbook. Nothing fancy, but something that is yours. Make sure that you have the passwords and access. Hide it when you're away if you're afraid he'll try to install the stuff on it anyways.
And from what I guess, you can get around it pretty easily with task manager. Be careful though -- you may get into more trouble than it's worth.

Ok so I'd buy a new laptop and hide it everytime I used it?
My parents are pretty overprotective and although I keep my door shut them and my little sister are always barging in. I know they would find it. But maybe I'll start saving up.

theres really no getting out of it. as said above anything you buy is legally theirs. im sorry, idk what to say.

Well thanks I guess, I'll just try and endure anouther 6 years of them snooping through everything about me. :-/

[DerBear]

While most people have constant access with there devices I am afraid this is really up to your parents. The only thing I could think you could do is ask them politely, I mean in the event you have school work do they allow you to have extra time?

I dont know to be honest its a little over the top but again its up to your parents.

Also my friend is divorced and they have family meetings so its not un-common for slit up households to do this....

[Desuetude]

They do allow me extra time for school work but I don't mind so much about that, its more the fact that they can look through everything about me.

The fact that I don't like family meetings is different. Every time I try and sit down with them and talk about stuff its so intimidating I just feel they're ganging up on me. After 5 minutes im shouting or sulking because I get worked up and annoyed so easily. They don't understand and end up shouting at me as well, we end up having an even more crappy week than usual then I move to the other parents house and the cycle goes again.
The only things the agree on are stuff like the computer and I just see no need for it. I have tried to get round it like creating other accounts ane users to log into but dad has set it up that even though the user is not monitored he can still see if one has been added so that idea is stuffed. Anyway, they say I have to gain their trust but I don't see how. I do well in school, not involved in drugs or smoking I hardley even have a life goddamnit. -sigh- im just so fed up of it now.

[monkee98]

What operating system is it?

[Desuetude]

What operating system is it?

Norton online family security something, im pretty sure I put it in the top post :/

[TheMatrix]

Norton online family security something, im pretty sure I put it in the top post :/
No, the computer itself. The fact that it's Norton probably means the computer runs windows.

[UnknownError]

You need to tell them exactly how you feel. It may sound hard and it most likely will be, but they might see how strongly you feel about them accessing everything about your private life and decide to calm down even the slightest bit. Tell them you feel trapped and basically what you've told us.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Mortal Coil]

It's ridiculous and unfair that they don't trust you enough to not scan your stuff. they sound pretty irrational, but you could try telling them that part of growing up involves becoming more independent and self-sufficient, and the internet monitor thing is getting in the way of that. Try to plant the idea into their heads that they're being bad parents by doing this, they're probably already a little guilty about divorcing with two kids to raise.
If the inception/guilt-trip thing doesn't work, there's really nothing I can say except maybe spend more time in cybercafes. I don't know what they charge there, but here they're dirt cheap.

[Jufjufjuf]

If you do end up buying a new laptop and your dad is really good with computers. It'll be really easy to hack in. Windows security is shit. So I suggest checking out this thread http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/showthread.php?t=129251 and TrueCrypt. Make a hidden system partition. Just Google it for step by step instructions.

I don't care how good your dad is, he won't be able to hack that. Plus if they find it, you can give them the password to the dummy account and keep your hidden one all safe :D

[Desuetude]

No, the computer itself. The fact that it's Norton probably means the computer runs windows.

Yeah it is windows.

I have tried to talk to them but for some stupid reason they don't trust me. And like I said I usually get angry or upset after like 5 minutes anyway so they get annoyed with me, ground me and we're back to square one.

[Eclipsical]

Maybe your dad will shoot the computer. Heh.

[Desuetude]

Maybe your dad will shoot the computer. Heh.

o.o maybe?...