You probably can’t watch your kids 24 hours per day. Just because they have free time doesn’t mean you do. Luckily, your computer can help out.

Windows Vista has robust parental controls. They’ll help you monitor and limit your children’s computer usage.

Now, nothing can substitute for parental vigilance. So, talk to your kids about computer safety. And have them read and sign my 10 Commandments for Kids Online.

That said, no parent would turn down extra help. So, take the time to set up these controls.

First, your children need a separate user account. You can have an account for all your children. Or each child can have an individual account. Begin by clicking Start>>Control Panel. Check the left panel to be sure you're in Classic View. Double-click User Accounts. Then, click “manage another account”>>”create new account.”

Give the new account a name. Be sure the Standard User button is selected. Click Create Account.

Click Start>>Control Panel. Select Classic View. Then, double-click Parental Controls. Select your children’s user account. A parental controls window will open. Under Parental Controls, select On. You can now customize your children’s access.