As technology grows more important in everyday life and computers become a regular part of homes across the United States, certain security issues become apparent, especially those regarding children. There are many benefits that a child can obtain from using a computer at home, from accessing learning software for help with basic academic skills to using the Internet for school research. Unfortunately, there are also many dangers lurking online, including easily accessible violent or pornographic content and Internet predators waiting to take advantage of unsuspecting children. To protect your child, it's important to use one or more of the widely available safety features on your computer.
Internet Content Filters
Internet content filters are one of the most common child protection tools you can find for your computer. Internet filters allow you to customize settings for Internet use, including the filtering out of pornography, violence and other objectionable content by blocking access to sites that host the information. Some filters work by searching for and blocking webpages that contain certain key words or phrases, while others may work by restricting a user's general access to specific sites using a large list of verified websites that are deemed safe or unsafe by the filter company. The filter is password-protected, which allows you to block children from tampering with the software and unblock the Internet when you or other adults are using the computer.
User Accounts
Setting up a user access account for your child can also help you not only block inappropriate Internet content, but also choose what files or software your child can open on the computer desktop. To do this, set up a password-protected administrator account and then create individual user accounts for each child in the control panel of your operating system. You can also limit computer use to a specific amount of time for each user and to specific times that they can access the computer. This ensures that your children can only access the computer when you are at home and not at work or asleep.
P2P Blockers
Peer-to-Peer, or P2P programs, allow your child to share music and other files online between users around the world. Unfortunately, many of these P2P files are loaded with hidden viruses, and can also open your child up to downloading pornography or illegally obtained music or movies. Filtering software with P2P-blocking abilities helps ensure that your child cannot access these programs.
Chat Room Blockers
Chat rooms also pose a serious danger for children as they can often become a place for child predators to attract victims by pretending they are other children. To protect your child from this threat, chat room blockers prohibit access to all chat rooms. This feature can be turned off with a password if you choose to let your child visit a chat room under your supervision. Many Internet filters have this option built into the software.
Tracking Software
Tracking software is also available on the market to help monitor your child's use of the computer. Tracking software allows you to view specifically what your child did while on the computer. This can include messages sent, sites visited and files uploaded or downloaded, depending on the specific features of the software you choose to purchase.
Child Browsers
Child browsers take Internet filtering software to the next level through the use of separate browser software specially designed to protect your child while she is online. These browsers limit all Internet access to a very select group of child-friendly sites and do not allow your child to visit any sites outside of those pre-chosen web pages. This protects them from accidentally or purposely viewing inappropriate material.
ISP
Your Internet service provider, or ISP, may have an option to activate built-in parental controls as part of your Internet package each month. Talk to a representative from your ISP for more information and offerings.
Member Comments