My 13 year old has discovered LimeWire - do I stop her?

I have it on both my computers as well.

I have taught my kids to download only mp3 format files and threatened them with an inch of their life. Actually at one time they did the wrong thing and wiped out the hard drive. I put Linux on it for about 6 months and it drove them so crazy that when I finally put Windows back on it they were more cautious than I am now.

Most people get viruses because they download unknown things in .exe file. I have never got a virus from limewire.

So that covers the virus aspect of Limewire...now the ethics portion.

Bottom line is I use it as well. To tell them they can't would be a little wrong now wouldn't it?

I have this little theory that music enriches our lives and that outweighs the ethics of it. I know it is wrong but honestly this is one of those things that I actually contemplate the likelihood of getting caught and find it so small that I take the risk.

And seeing as I doubt stealing music from the Internet leads to a higher form of criminal activity it doesn't keep me up at night.

I'm not a parent but yeah, I think you should stop her from using LimeWire. It's illegal (but should totally be made legal) and we all know stealing is wrong. Plus there are a lot of viruses and you don't know exactly where that file is coming from. There are other ways for her to get her music, and to find new genres and artists, as well as reinforce her morals and show her right and wrong. There are many online streamers out there that will give you playlists as well as music from your favourite artists. Some sites even offer free, legal downloads if you're not into the whole paying for music thing, but want your music through legal means. Try:

www.purevolume.com

www.soundclick.com

www.spiralfrog.com

www.radioblogclub.com

www.last.fm

www.pandora.com

And of course, Yahoo! has a music player too. =] Also, some artists allow you to download their songs off their Myspace page. And if you do decide to pay for your music, make sure the money you are paying is going to the artist, and not just to the company behind the program.

Well, hope this helps. =] Happy listening.

Just be that parent that goes threw her music or you download together. Yes its not 100% legal just explain that to her so she understands. There is ALOT of ther things on lime wire besides music. Things you dont want your 13 year old seeing or understanding just yet. Make sure you let her know its music and music only or the comp and limewire are gone. Good Luck

I think almost every teenager does... but it's not legal. I even download stuff from limewire. I would not care about that because there is nobody that will spy in my computer just my parents. Also watch on the stuff she downloads because there are tons of stuff.

I only use it for music

Be very careful with Limewire. I know it's free (but illegal) but there are viruses out there. I once downloaded from limewire and got a virus. I said 'foreget it" (well more colourful term) and am now using Itunes (i know it costs - but who cares - It is fully legal!) and the cost is not all that much.

iTunes or something like that is a lot safer. LimeWire somehow got into these people's computer and made them pay a certain amount for every song they dowloaded after 75, I think it was & they had aroud 1000 or so downloaded & the mom ended up having to pay hundreds of dollars. Which, personally, I think is stupid... but oh well.

Plus, like everyone else has said... it's infested with viruses!

I wouldnt let her because limewire can mess up your computer besides when you try to download a movie or a music video there is always nasty videos that come up too even though you dont type them in to come up I would go with ARES i havent had any problems with it so far its better thatn limewire

you should stop her. I know someone who used limewire and happened to get fined, it doesn't happen to everyone but there is always a chance. Yeah music is great but its even better if its legal. Use iTunes or Napster. I know Tunes is only 99 cents per song and Napster is like 10 dollars a month or something

My experience with a similar site, I try to explain to my Son that he is stealing the Artist work, If you want a CD I'll Buy it for Him. He thinks they all rich anyway that it doesn't matter, try to explain why it did matter, But Teens brains are wired( Ha no pun intended) differently.Any way we got a downloader ( Jacker) from that site, luckily I am security paranoid and got whoever it was off before they got too much info.So i would try to explain both to her/him. The Artists work hard and the security risk maybe You Kid will get it unlike Mine. This was a few years back but same thing. Good luck !!

Well my mom let me use limewire just because my older brother did. I loved it, best thing ever. My dad took it away from me though. He started talking about morals and that crap and I was so sad.

Oh an also it comes with A LOT of viruses. You should scan your computer every week or something.