I use Spybot to detect adware/spyware and occasionally it shows a
program called Wild Tangent. I looked up this program on the internet
and it's related to showing video, I think.
Spybot eventually gets rid of it but I'm curious as to how or why the
program appears on my computer.
Does the fact that my son uses the computer have any relevance to
this?
Probably; WildTangent is "a leading online game distributor"
http://www.wildtangent.com
They sell games online and their software is used to distribute the
game (both as a single all-in-one installer or to "stream" gamedata
down to the client as needed, depending on the whims of the game
designer), provide some copy protection, and as spyware/adware
(including how much time you spend online or playing the game).
Its probable that your son installed one of these games, which is how
it got onto your system in the first place, and everytime he plays the
game again it reinstalls the spyware portion (or perhaps your son,
upset that his game is no longer working because WildTangent was
removed, is just reinstalling it)
How to remove Wild Tangent?
http://www.spyany.com/program/article_spw_rm_WildTangent.html