Internet Filtering and Monitoring: Tools for Parents
Internet Filtering and Monitoring: Tools for Parents
Internet filtering and monitoring are an essential part of providing a safe, healthy Internet experience for children.
Monitoring lets you know where your child goes online, which will help you engage in conversations with them about everything they experience on the Internet—their interests and concerns. It also will alert you to online threats such as harassment, identity theft, or predators. Most importantly, monitoring communicates to kids and teens that the Internet is a public forum and never truly private; what they do online is visible to you as well as your ISP, law enforcement and governments. This will help them conduct themselves appropriately for the public setting that exists on the Internet.
Filtering sets benchmarks for acceptable content and communication in your family: you customize the content to your ethics and values. Filters allow parents to block obscene or illegal content such as pornography and gambling, as well as content that promotes or endorses risky behavior such as anorexia, cutting, and drug abuse. The filtering process is a parenting tool. No filter is full-proof, but it’s important that children understand what is acceptable and unacceptable to you, even if the neighbor down the street has open Internet.
A good Internet filter will provide both monitoring and filtering (by category), time limit management, and activity reports. The goal is to set a standard of expectations for your family while providing the best possible content for your family.
NOTE: Filters run best on secure computers where parents maintain administrative rights with an administrator account, while children and guests use limited access accounts. This prevents unauthorized un-installation of filters and other security software. For more information on computer security, view the ikeepsafe videos from security expert Rick Lawhorn .
Free options for families: the following services provide excellent monitoring and filtering (by category), time limits, and activity reports.
For instructions on how to install and use K9, see the instructional video below.
This free service does not require an AOL account; register with any email address.
