We live
in the technology age, and the majority of Americans are using a
computer every single day. As the internet becomes more
widespread throughout households, children are more at risk than ever; with
each click of the mouse.
Did you know that forty two
percent of Internet users between the ages of 10 to 17,
recall seeing some form of online pornography within the
last 12 months, without
searching for, or anticipating viewing such
images?
The majority of the
children surveyed, noticed "unsolicited pornography"
that "just popped up." Many parents who have
children feel secure that their children are protected
from online porn, due to the fact that they "bookmark"
children's sites and or do not allow their kid(s) to
access certain sites unsupervised. Unfortunately, many
websites that appear "innocent," can contain
scripts that
allow X-rated images and video, to
pop-up, or appear without warning.
What many parent aren't aware of
is that popular sites such as YouTube, contains
extremely mature video and language. Your child can view
much of the content on this site without verifying
his/her age! That can create several problems for young
children, as they aren't emotionally prepared to view
sexually related content; therefore possibly causing
trauma throughout their young and adult lives.
Luckily we have the
solution for you caring parents and it's called:
Internet
Content Filtering !!
Internet content filtering is
necessary in order to monitor your child's surfing
habits and websites visiting, as well as preventing
access to websites, ads and pop-ups that you deem
unacceptable. There are many types of internet content
filtering software that you can obtain; either free or
for a small fee. Here are just a few that we recommend,
and some of the features: (click on the name
of each software, to be taken to the website.)
* Schedule Internet
access
* Block MySpace,
Facebook and other social networking sites
* Stop inappropriate chat and
child predators
*
Receive email and mobile alerts
* Stop illegal file
sharing
* Monitor
where your children are going online *
Internet Content Filtering
* Schedule Internet
access *
Block MySpace, Facebook
and other social networking sites
* Stop inappropriate chat
and child predators
*
Receive email and mobile alerts
* Stop illegal file sharing
* Monitor where your
children are going online
* Internet Content
Filtering
* Time Limits - set when your
child can use the computer.
* Content filtering via the
free Windows Live Suite included in Windows 7.
* Control what games are
allowed to be played, based on the
ratings. * Internet Content Filtering
These are just a few of
the many Internet content filtering solutions available
to protect your child while using the internet. I
currently use K9 Web Protection
in my home network, and
it works flawlessly! Downloading and installing
the software is a cinch, and customizing it for your
particular family situation is straightforward.
The good thing about this
program is, the warning when a site that you have
blocked, is typed in the browser. When any of my kids
attempt to access a website in a category that I
blacklisted, I hear a loud "RUFF RUFF"
! Next thing I know, my kid comes to me saying: "
This dog keeps barking at me." I laugh
and usually reply; "That's what happens when you try
to go to a blocked website! "
Do a bit of research on the
recommendations above, and you'll have an
idea of what kind of Internet Content
Filtering software you need for your family. If you
have Windows 7, you are actually one step closer
to already having it! So get busy and enjoy the peace
of mind that comes with knowing, your kids are protected
online, and they can only visit the websites that you
allow! Keeping your kids safe online is not as difficult
as you may think! Until next time.....
