It was made painfully clear to me again last Friday how smart children can do dumb things online.
The boys managed to figure out my iTunes password, which contained capitals and numbers and was far from easy to guess. One of them - I suspect it was the eldest - must have been looking over my shoulder when I used it last.
As a result, they happily downloaded a bunch of apps and games using my stored credit card details.
That is why for the next two weeks, which unfortunately for them is during the school holidays, they are banned from all technology.
There will be lots of backyard cricket, bike riding, puzzles, colouring-in and chores to do around the house.
They will need to do a lot of jobs to make up for squandering mum's money.
I'll be the first one to admit that laptops, iPads and smartphones can be great tools for developing young minds. internet access has become a necessity, as a lot of learning and socialising is now done online.
Parents just have to make sure they stay a step or two ahead of their technology-savvy kids.
So what are the best ways to protect your net-smart children, and yourself, from their curious or naughty actions online?
For a start it's a good idea to limit your kids' computer time. If they are constantly online they're much more likely to stumble upon websites you don't want them to explore.
Turn off the wireless, make sure the computer they are using is situated in the family room or another commonly-used area, and have the screen facing the room. They will be much more careful about where they go to online if someone could walk in at any given time.
Many children would love to have their own Facebook account, but the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) says that websites that collect information about their users, as Facebook does, aren't allowed to sign up anyone under 13.
Of course there are millions of pre-teens who use Facebook anyway. Some get permission from their parents to create an account and others simply lie about their age to get past the sign-up restrictions.
For a range of useful information about online safety, and dealing with anything from cyber bullying to sexting, visit www.netsmartz.org/Parents
Tips and tricks to keep children of all ages safe on Facebook can be found on www.facebook.com/safety.
If you are still worried, it is time to sit the kids down for a chat about it all.
Try telling them why you don't want them going on certain sites and let them know you can track their online activity. Explain that you have good reasons for keeping an eye on it.
Depending on their age, your children may know a lot about the websites and social networks you'll be discussing.
They have either heard about them from friends or have investigated when you weren't looking.
Before you start the discussion, make sure to do your research and have accurate facts and figures ready, including some examples of cases where things have gone horribly wrong.
Then turn off all your auto-log-ins, upgrade the parental control software if you think that is appropriate, and keep your updated passwords somewhere safe, just in case.
