Kids and the Internet

The internet can be a wonderful tool for kids, for investigating educational sites, communicating with friends and family, researching topics for homework.  Your own children may already spend hours chatting with friends using instant messenger systems over the internet.   At the same time the internet provides a powerful learning opportunity for kids, since they will rely on the computer skills they develop now as they progress in school and later in the work world.  And they will develop

 

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an ease in using technology and acclimating to new technology that will aid them as they grow older.

If you have not already taken advantage of this opportunity to spend time with your kids, it’s a great place to investigate together.   Maybe you’ll together research questions they have about local wildlife, how clouds form, historic figures.  You could even consider building a web site together with any number of easy-to-use products available today.

But even spending some time with your children while using the internet, and being involved in their activities, cannot fully protect them from the more dangerous aspects online.  Typically, children do not seek out these areas.  Children often access dangerous areas by misspelling words or typing in queries that draw inappropriate sites. Or they may be “approached” by someone they do not know through chat rooms or instant messaging.

There are different types of software solutions to aid in protecting kids on the internet, while still allowing them a full and varied experience:

  • Filtering Software:  limits access to inappropriate web sites;
  • Monitoring Software: records their actions and conversations;
  • Chat and E-mail Filters: limits access to services such as chat and e-mail;
  • Time Scheduling Software:  limits the hours of internet availability.

These types of software are typically referred to as “Parental Control” software.  There are two programs we recommend to parents evaluating software solutions:  ContentProtect and Cybersitter 2003. These are both highly regarded products, in fact both have received the best reviews in the industry.  Which program you choose depends on your current computer set-up, how many computers there are in your home used by children, operating systems, and other factors. We can help you determine which software is most appropriate, install the software, and provide instruction, leaving you with a fix for internet worries as well as an ease in taking advantage of the variety of options available in the software.  You will be able to relax knowing that your children cannot access sites and functionality on the internet that you deem inappropriate, and that they cannot inadvertently wander into areas developed only for adult use.

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Kids’ Safety on the Internet Web Sites

Web Site Last Updated 06/18/07

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