According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the dangers for children online are quite vast. From finding inappropriate images and information to cyberbullies to sharing too much information and being exploited, your children can be in danger anytime they go online. However, there are many Internet security software programs available designed to monitor children's online activity, and you can use it to help protect your children.
Types
There are a variety of Internet security options available to parents. Some software comes with your Internet service; your Internet Service Provider, or ISP, may build protection into its sign-on software that you can activate for your child's account. Most Internet browsers, such as Firefox, offer content control that you can activate for their software. You can also purchase separate Internet security software for your children to install on your computer; these software suites typically work either through content blocking, monitoring or both.
Features
Different software programs offer different features. PC Magazine reports that you can find software programs in which you individually block web pages, or you can purchase suites that do their own blocking based on a list the company creates. You can also find programs that will log every single keystroke your child makes on the keyboard, which may be needed for children who are prone to sharing too much information via instant messaging or chat rooms.
Considerations
The age of your children will help to determine what kind of Internet security software you may need. For young children just learning to explore the computer, a software that keeps them from damaging the computer or finding truly offensive websites may be all you need. However, if your children are older and are more exploratory, you might want to look into software that is more comprehensive and helps them avoid known problem areas like specific chat rooms that are a frequent haven for Internet predators.
Education
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children reminds parents that kids can go online anywhere, not just in your home. Therefore, the Center stresses that you should educate both yourself and your children about Internet safety and not rely solely on software. The Center has two online education tools available to the public. The first, NetSmartz, offers help for both parents and children in learning about Internet safety. The second, NetSmartz411, gives parents a variety of answers to questions you might have about online activities your children may be doing.
Warning
Unfortunately, kids are often quite technologically advanced, maybe even more than their parents. CNET reports that kids are often able to get around the parental control software parents install on their computer. They may be able to do so using the computer's start-up or boot disk, and they may be resetting your administrative passwords in the system. If this is the case for your children, PC Magazine recommends that you look toward hardware-based security in your router or computer itself to help keep your children safe.
References
- PC Magazine: Keep Your Child Safe Online
- American Academy of Pediatrics: SafetyNet
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: Keeping Kids Safer on the Internet: Tips for Parents and Guardians
- CNET: Locking Down Parental Controls
- Internet Education Foundation: Child Safety Options Offered by Leading ISPs
- Mozilla: Parental Controls
