How to Not Get Caught on the Computer Late at Night

Last Updated: December 22, 2022

So you want to get on a computer at night to IRC/IM your friends? Or do you need to finish a school project before the morning? Trouble is, you'll be in for it if you caught on the computer late at night... so do your best to stay unnoticed!

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Preparation

1
Make sure you have your electronic devices, iPod/MP3, Cellphone, Snacks/Drinks available in your room. Try to hide them well.
2
Hide your laptop/phone/tablet on a bookshelf or in a desk drawer no-one would look in.

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3
Wait until your parents finally get to bed. When you power it on, turn off all the speakers (or immediately plug in your headphones) and avoid watching videos. The sound may awaken your parents and will result in you getting caught.
4
Close all the doors between you and your parent's room. Don't close your parent's one as they may hear it or notice the next day.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Working on the computer

1
Turn off the light in the room the computer is in so as to not wake up anyone.
2
Remember if you hear someone coming then quickly click the "Power off" on your monitor so it stays on but the screen is off.
3
Devise a plan to sneak your computer to your room if it isn't already there. You could;
- Go to the bathroom as normally as possible. After you flush, take off running to your room. Your parents might wake up but will just assume that you went back to bed.
- You can also just sneak back. This is harder than it sounds. The noises you make in the middle of the night can seem a lot louder than in the day. Before you go to bed, test to see where the creaks are on your floor (if you have any), a loud creak might just give you away so it helps to be prepared and know where the floor creaks.
4
Try using the PSP's internet connection or the cell's connection.
5
Know what to do if you're using a laptop/tablet. Put your blanket slightly over the lid and dim the display so there's less light.
6
Place a blanket or t-shirt of some sort to line the bottom of your doorway on the inside, so less light is visible.

Community Q&A

Question

Should I worry about the clicking/typing sound?

Community Answer

Nope. Just close the door and be as quiet as you can. I sneak on my Chromebook almost every night. If you hear someone coming, just close your laptop and pretend to be asleep.

Warnings

If you are using any social networking sites, then make sure none of your relatives are friends with you because if you come online late at night or post something during the night, then it is likely that someone online will notice and might tell your parents. You will be scolded for this and asked many questions which you won't be able to answer.

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You may get tired and fall asleep at the computer—screen or your gadgets. Your parents might notice them if they are still switched on.

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If you become tired, and it's two hours or something before going to school, you have made a mistake. Stay up and sleep after school if you are too tired to stay awake until bedtime.

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Avoid playing videos as you may accidentally pull out the cord of your earbuds, and you will probably not be able to hear your parents come if they happen to come check up on you.

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If you're wearing headphones, turn down the volume of what you're listening to. If it’s up too high, someone could be coming, and you would not hear them.

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Staying up too late will damage your health and if you make a habit out of it, you may get insomnia.

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You might be tired in school the next day, which will result in doing badly with your schoolwork. So try to do this on school break, Friday, and Saturday or the night before a day off school.

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You will get in trouble or even lose your computer privileges if you get caught.

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