The internet, an amazing tool that allows people to access a plethora of information in seconds, has helped kids and adults do extensive research for school papers or work assignments, enabled people to create their own websites and opened up new worlds and perspectives to people worldwide. Kids play games with other kids and learn new things from educational websites online.
The internet sounds like such a wonderful tool, and, for the most part, it is. However, not unlike the real world, there are places on the internet where children need not go; sites where inappropriate language and/or pictures are prevalent, sites which contain violent images and sites where predators are known to wait for a child who is eager to give out their information to a new “friend”, to name a few. When thought of this way, the internet seems like a scary place for children and, although it can be a dangerous place, there are many options for parents to protect their children from online dangers. Internet filters are one of the best tools parents have available to help them protect their children.
Internet filtering is a parent’s helper
Internet filtering can be the parent when the parent cannot watch over their children’s shoulder. For example, while many parents don’t get home from work until 5:00 or 5:30, their children get home at 3:00 or 3:30 and, even though the children are old enough to take care of themselves, they love to surf the internet, which opens them up to a world of potential problems. Even though parents have taken every precaution to keep their children safe while on the computer, including putting the computer in an open area and establishing rules for internet use, problems can still arise when parents are not present. Many times inappropriate pictures or words come up on the screen whether the children were looking for them or not. Internet filtering can provide parents peace of mind, knowing that filtering can stop, or greatly reduce, these incidents.
Internet filtering blocks sites with inappropriate words
A great feature of internet filtering is its ability to block sites that contain inappropriate words. There are many sites that a parent wouldn’t think would contain language that is unsuitable for their children’s eyes but, sadly, they do. Internet filtering can catch these sites and protect children, especially young children, from things they don’t need to read or hear.
Internet filtering blocks pornographic sites
Hundreds of websites contain adult content which does not need to be seen by children, as it can be very harmful for children. Without an internet filter, children can, and do, happen upon these sites. Internet filters can block pornographic sites, and links to them, from coming up on the screen when a child is surfing the web.
Internet filtering can block sites where sexual predators may be lurking
Parents can set the internet filter to block their child’s access to chat rooms, as they can be very dangerous for young people. Children can be very trusting when they meet new friends over the internet. Many kids use chat rooms as a place where they can really be themselves and say things they wouldn’t say in person, which can be very unsafe. When a child gives their information to a “new, trusted friend” who is really a sexual predator pretending to be a 12 year old girl or boy, the child is in danger. Internet filtering can keep children safe by keeping them out of chat rooms.
