|
|
 |
A Parent's Guide to Internet Controls
For detailed side-by-side comparisons of parental control software, see our parental control software comparison chart.
|
A Parent's Guide to Internet Controls
Well, it started. I now have a daughter who has a computer in her room. Still no TV, just a computer...It all started when we decided to purchase a new computer for ourselves and were subsequently faced with the dilemma of what and where to put our old computer. After a lot of discussion and pleading from our eight year old we decided to let her put the computer in her room. She has been fascinated with computers since the age of 1 ½ and regularly corresponds via email with her cousins, aunts, and uncles. Once we got the computer set up in her room complete with wireless internet access, we had to come to some decisions about how to keep track of and monitor what she was doing on-line. It took me one hour of research to realize how complicated it was going to be and a few more weeks of research to figure out what to do. So, here is our solution. What's yours?
The first point I want to make is there are no fail safe methods of protecting your children from every "undesirable" on the web. All options have their shortcomings and still require parental monitoring to ensure little eyes aren't seeing more than they should. Secondly, as parents we have a lot of choices in how we go about protecting our kids. Choices range from complete blocking to only establishing household rules. Your ultimate choice will probably most depend on the age of your child and what you want as a parent. Lastly, not only do we have to worry about what our kids see when they "surf" the web, but we also have to worry about instant messaging and chat rooms. It's a lot to take in, but here we go.
Parental Control Options
Internet Service Providers (ISP's)
This is where you should start. Many ISP's today offer parents a lot of choices for parental control. Many allow some type of blocking and filtering of inappropriate websites and emails. AOL by far has the best reputation for state of the art parental controls, but many other ISP's are beginning to step up their efforts and also offer options for parents.
Web Browsers
Both Internet Explorer and Netscape have built in, but limited controls for parents to use. In Internet Explorer parents can set limits by using their own criteria, criteria established by the Recreational Software Advisory Council (RSACi) and SafeSurf, or the rating system of another organization they trust. It is important to note that both RSACi and SafeSurf rely on website owners to voluntarily (currently there are not laws requiring them to do so) rate their site, something that many choose not to do (both good and bad sites) and since the web browsers automatically block anything not rated it makes getting around on the web without a lot of "blocks" very difficult. Netscape Navigator also sets limits based on the criteria established by RSACi and SafeSurf, but to the best of my knowledge do not allow parents to set their own criteria or use the criteria of a rating agency other than the two mentioned.
Blocking/Monitoring/Filtering Software
By installing blocking/monitoring/filtering software on your computer you can control what your children see and do on the internet as well as monitor what they are doing when you aren't around. Most software packages today offer the capability to do all three functions as well as offer protections for instant messaging and chat rooms.
Blocking software allows the parents to block "bad" sites from reaching their kids and many also allow parents to designate "good" sites and only grant access to sites on the "good" sites list. Software packages with blocking capabilities usually have a list of predetermined "bad" sites and may charge a monthly service fee to get the updated lists. If you go this route, be sure to pick a package that also gives you the ability to add to or customize the "bad" site list. There is also blocking software that prevents children from sharing personal information (address, phone number) with someone over the internet. This can be helpful when your children start using chat rooms to protect them from sharing personal information with online predators.
Filtering software works off of a list of keywords (i.e. sex) to block sites. Because it is very difficult for even the best software programs to keep up with the multitude of sites being added everyday, filtering works as a backup to the blocking function to prevent any "bad" sights sneaking through to the kids. The keywords are pre-set in the software and like the blocking option be sure to choose a software package that allows parents to customize the keyword list.
Monitoring and tracking software is a tool that allows parents to keep track of everything the kids are doing on line including reading emails, instant messages, seeing which websites have been visited, and how long the kids have been on-line. Some software packages even allow parents to control at which times of day and for how long kids can be on the computer. This can be helpful for parents who work outside the home and whose kids are home alone after school. It is important to note that these monitoring and tracking tools (if purchased in a stand alone package) don't prevent kids from visiting certain sites, they just tell parents where they have been and for how long.
Kid Search Engines
Also available to parents are search engines designed specifically for kids. The search engines only access "safe" websites and materials. These search engines are okay, but only until your kids learn how to type in a new address in the address bar. There is nothing built into these search engines to prevent them from doing this.
Kid Browsers
Kid browsers are web browsers designed for children to use in place of Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. They are very kid friendly and filter out unacceptable sites. A couple of good ones I have found are the Children's Internet and KidRocket.org. Children's Internet charges $9.95 per month whereas KidRocket.org though more limited is available through a donation of your choice. Kid browsers are geared more toward younger kids (ages 3 - 10) and older kids may find this type of browsers "babyish".
Resources for Parents
You should visit CommonSenseMedia.org. They are an independent organization that reviews and rates websites, TV shows, video games, movies, books, and songs for appropriateness for kids. They also allow parents and kids to provide reviews as well. It is a good resource if you want to hear what other people have to say about a website your child is visiting.
Our Solution
After all my research, we have decided that for now to just set up a few rules and monitor her on-line activities ourselves by reviewing the history in her browser address bar and checking the emails she receives and sends. As she gets older and her web surfing and internet activities (instant messaging and chat rooms) more sophisticated, we will have to consider more, but for now we think this is enough.
About the author:
Polly Schlafhauser is Founder and President of Families with Purpose, a website dedicated to helping busy families enhance their family life. To subscribe to their FREE newsletter or to learn more about parental internet controls visit www.familieswithpurpose.com/internetcontrols.html
|
|
|
For detailed side-by-side comparisons of parental control software, see our parental control software comparison chart.
|
|
|
> Parental Control Software 
