What's your opinion on babsitters using your computer?

Question

I don't use sitters very often, but I've been surprised that each one, unless specifically told that the computer is off-limits, has helped herself. Although nobody visited inappropriate sites (I checked.), and I'm fairly certain that the use took place after the kids' bedtimes (because the computer is in an isolated space and my 2 1/2 year old tells me everything that he does with the sitter, so it appears that the kids are being well attended-to), I find it surprising that these girls have felt that they could use my personal computer without asking permission.

I've recently set up a password requirement in order to use the computer, although I haven't had anyone babysit since I have done so. I just feel like my computer is a personal item. They can use my television, DVD player, electronic piano, or bring a book for after bedtime. Do you think that I am being unreasonable to expect that someone not assume that it's fine to use my computer, even after the kids are in bed?

Answer 1

i think it's totally reasonable if you don't want someone using your computer, but i'm not surprised that many kids today see it as being in the same category as the tv or dvd player. password protecting the whole computer is fine, but you could also consider password protecting your own account but setting up a guest account so your babysitter could use the internet when the kids are asleep.



of course, i'd be looking for a new babysitter if the babysitter were using the computer or the tv while the kids were awake....

Answer 2

If a teen is old enough to babysit, they are also old enough to clean up files and browsing history. I saw a show on child pornography where someone had a used computer that had illegal pictures hidden inside the hard drive. This person is now facing prison time even though they bought the computer second hand. For that reason alone I would say its off limits. You will be held responsible if ever anything wrong is found. I am also a firm believer in adult supervision to minors using the internet, also due to what the tv shows about child predators and that type of stuff. You are right, common courtesy and good home training would have told them to ask first - unfortunately kids/teens are being taught common courtesy anymore. You aren't being unreasonable.

Answer 3

My parents always taught me to ask before I use something, So when I babysat I would always ask if it was ok to watch tv or the computer etc.

However, in todays society where the computer is sometimes used more than a TV alot of kids probably dont view it as a personal item.

I dont have a babysitter for my daughter or anyone for that matter that may or may not use my computer, but I still use the password thing, I just feel more comfortable that way.

I would suggest that next time you have a babysitter over simply say, feel free to use[insert ok things] but I would prefer you to not use my computer. That way it is loud and clear to them and there are no hard feelings with either person.

Answer 4

No, you're not being unreasonable. I don't have kids yet so hiring a sitter is not even an issue for me. However, my husband has an 8 year old niece and when she comes to visit us with his parents she too has a habit of helping herself to the computer. My husband doesn't understand why I get so upset about it. Number one, she's 8 years old. She doesn't know what to do if spyware pops up. She doesn't know how to handle pop-ups. Number two, she could easily end up on some website that she has no business looking at. Number 3, it's mine and I don't want her using it. I would be pissed if I specifically told someone not to touch my computer and they did anyway (which is exactly what happened to me). It's yours, you paid for it, so you call the shots. If they can't respect that then they need to stay at home. I am amazed at the people on here who said what's the problem. The problem is they went against your will. That would really bug me -- and it has nothing to do with selfishness. It has to do with respect.

Answer 5

I don't blame you at all. Without permission, noone should be on your computer. I personally wouldn't care if a babysitter used the computer AFTER my children were asleep, but if I didn't give her permission, then I would be upset that she did it without knowing if it was okay. Even if they don't go on bad sites or get into personal files, they could still potentially cause problems. They could inadvertently let a virus in your computer. You were right to put up a password.

Answer 6

last I checked, this is 2007, and the youth of the nation see a computer as young people saw a television 30 years ago, if you want to protect your personal things, set up a guest account for other users, or at least let the sitter know that the box is off limits. its not rare for young guests to think that the whole "make yourself at home" attitude includes the pc

Answer 7

Not at all - most people have a lot of personal information on the computer that they would not want others to access. You might set up a router or wifi that they could access with their own laptop if they feel that they absolutely must access the internet while babysitting.

Answer 8

I consider my computer my personal property and prefer people to ask before they use it since it has my personal files in it and I don't want anything accidently getting deleted/edited.

If you tell them not to use the computer then they should respect you and not touch it.



Consider just making your account on the computer private and make an extra account that the babysitter or whoever can use once the kids are asleep.

Answer 9

I think it would be best to specifically say that they are not to use the computer, to avoid any confusion. A lot of people now days feel that a computer is on the same level as a TV-and wouldn't think twice about using it any more than they would the TV....but if you don't feel comfortable with them using it, it is absolutely your right to tell them not to.

Answer 10

i think you may need to find happy medium. people do have importnat files on their computers and so the girls using it without your permission is breaking into your personal space and coudl be potentially dangerous to use but if set up properly i think your sitters shoudl be allowed to use teh comp. if yu have windows 2000 or higher you can set up multpile accounts. set up one called sitter, its is very easy to do and tell them specifically taht only after you children are in bed they may use that account. password protect your own so they do not see your private documents and let them be prodcutive at the same time!

Answer 11

I don't let anyone use my computer. And I mean NO ONE! My husband has his own laptop, so he doesn't even use mine. It has nothing to do with keeping things secret, just that there are personal things on your computer, with stored password and banking information, that I don't want anyone to have access to.



I wouldn't allow sitters to have access to my computer. My TV, DVD, piano, yes. But computer? No.

Answer 12

I agree. They can get online at home. Your computer your property. TV and other items are reasonable where the computer is almost like looking into your check book and photo albums.

Answer 13

No, it's not unreasonable. I'm really protective of my computer, and I hate it when anyone wants to go on it.

When I'm at someone else's house, I always ask if I can go on, but I wouldn't do it without permission.



I would just do what you did, put a password on.

Answer 14

he, it's your house, your rules, right? and you're paying them on top of it

if you're not comfortable with it then they shouldn't expect to have free range

a computer IS a personal thing. you have a lot of info on it that maybe you don't want people to see, even if you don't have anything "bad" on it, it's yours

and people pay who knows how much money trying to protect their computers from outsiders, a babysitter is an outsider and i think it's a good decision to set some boundaries

Answer 15

I would have the computer off limits and have a password on it as well just incase they try to sneak on there that way they can't.

Answer 16

i think that to most people a computer is just like a tv and dvd and so they consider it "free game" i think that sometimes they forget that there is private files. i dont think the sitters meant any harm...

Answer 17

No Way! You are totally right. Computers should be off limits in another persons home unless it's specified by the owner its okay. personally I wouldnt want to be paying someone good money, for them to be myspacing it up!

Answer 18

amazon is often solid approximately their return coverage. i'm guessing the tense force has been reformatted and wiped of all of its previous suggestion. sounds like a impressive gadget! i say decide for it =)

Answer 19

To me that is equal to the babysitter snooping around your dresser drawers!

Answer 20

No. Its your computer and your house. This seems disrespectful to me too. But I have never had a babysitter other than my parents, so I don't know how they act.

Answer 21

i have a password and a guest account for anyone who uses my computer..but its your decision and its your computer and rules..no one should touch your computer without your approval

Answer 22

NO its not unreasonable. Its good that you put a password on there.

Answer 23

A computer is an ordinary object just as a television is now a days....

Answer 24

Exactly! What you have done, is fair and right! I agree 100%!

Answer 25

it's not that big of a deal....it's not like they're snooping thru ur files...maybe they had some homework that they needed to dot. if you don't want them on it then just tell them...that way you won't have to worry about anything.

Answer 26

Why do you care if they use your computer as long as they don't get into your personal files.