Question:

I’m a mother of two girls aged 8 and 11. I’ve heard it’s possible to log MSN. How do I do that?

Answer from Kids and Media’s advisor:

The chats on MSN can be logged automatically, but the function must be activated.

You can select message settings that determine how Windows Live Messenger messages appear, including the fonts that you use. You can also select offline message settings and whether Messenger saves conversations on your computer.

To customize your message settings:
1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
2. In the left pane, click Messages.
3. Make selections based on how you want messages to appear, how you want Messenger to respond when you receive messages from others, and whether you want to save your message history.
4. Click OK.

Note
You can choose how you want to receive offline messages <http://help.live.com/help.aspx?mkt=en-us&project=WL_Messengerv9> (An instant message that is sent when either you or your contact is not online.) under Offline Instant Message Settings.

Related topics
Change the layout of the main window
Send an instant message or another type of message

Source:

Microsoft

Dialogue rather than surveillance
It’s important to be open with the kids about activating the log. Trust, dialogue and awareness are more important than surveillance. The log can be checked now and then together with the children. Our experience is that it can be a preventative measure on bad language, which is normal in many chat communities. Children and young people often think twice when they know that their parents might look in now and then. From experience we know that much of the digital bullying happens on MSN. Then it’s important to have evidence for what’s been written and said, and this would be available in the log, which is put in a separate folder on your PC.

Good luck!