Child and Family Internet Security
Set Parental Controls and Protect Children Online
Keep your family safe while online by creating a family safe computer network.
Setting up a computer network in your home is an easy way to stop family wars that ignite over computer and Internet access. Additional computers allow you to check your email, your spouse to upload family videos, your kids to research online at the same time. A family computer network can even allow you all to experience a great family LAN party.
Set up your local area network in a designated computer room to provide a collaborative feel or let your kids have a computer in their bedrooms so they can listen to mp3s and watch YouTube videos without disturbing study time. In either case you can ensure that your family is safe online.
Enable Internet Security
Internet security features can and should be enabled on each computer. Use your Internet browser’s tools menu to adjust the security and privacy setting for each individual computer. Create a block list to block unwanted websites. This may be enough to protect you, your spouse and younger children. But, an older child can figure out how to reset your adjustments and access websites beyond your desired content rating.
Use Content Filtering
Buy a router with a content filter. A router has its own website or software interface that you can set up to be password protected. Use content filtering software on your router to block any websites that have a rating above your threshold. You can also add in specific websites if the filter does not catch them. Set up a password that is difficult for your older children to guess.
Set Online Rules
Establish online rules for your children. Set a time limit for Internet activities. Or, use the computer as a reward for finishing homework. Also, set rules for instant messaging. Ask to see a list of your child’s contacts and make sure that you know each person on the list. Have your teenager keep his or her MySpace or FaceBook page public and visit it weekly.
Play Together
Spend time online as a family. The easiest way to keep your family safe while online is to spend time with them. Play video games online or over the LAN connection. Disney’s Toontown Online is a kid friendly game that you can all enjoy. Consider City of Heroes or Guild Wars for older children. Or, enter Second Life, a virtual world where you can build a virtual you. Come up with the zaniest characters to entertain or lovingly embarrass your older teenagers.
To learn more about keeping your children safe while online check out the Internet Safety Advisor blog.
