The internet continues to be an important part of everyday life; many people access it daily at work, school or at home. While the internet is a very useful tool, dangers abound online especially for children. There are many tools available to help parents monitor or filter the internet for their children. While most of these tools are effective, some parents are wary of relying on a program to keep their kids safe. Instead, they are looking for other ways to help them keep their kids safe on the internet. Here are a few ways to filter or monitor your children’s internet usage without downloads or software.
Browser History
Most internet browsers give users the options of saving a list of the websites that have recently been accessed. This history is a great way for parents to keep an eye on what their children are viewing on the internet. While some internet savvy kids may find a way to erase the history, most kids will not tamper with the list as it’s not something they care about. If parents review the list and find questionable websites on it, they can use the list to start a conversation about internet safety with their children.
Online Resources
Many non-profit groups have put together websites with tips for keeping children safe when they surf the internet. These resources include ways to talk to children about internet safety, techniques for monitoring internet use and information regarding what kinds of dangers are lurking on the internet. These websites may be found by doing a simple search in most search engines. Parents can use the helpful information on these sites to help keep their children safe online.
High-Traffic Room
One method for keeping children safe online without purchasing filtering software is to keep the computer in a high-traffic room. By keeping the computer in the kitchen or living room, parents can keep a better eye on what their kids are looking at online and they can ask their children what they are doing, who they are talking to and what sites they are looking for. When children have personal computers in their bedrooms, it is nearly impossible to filter what children are viewing online without an internet filter download or software.
Talking to Kids
As parents cannot expect their kids to avoid dangerous content online if they don’t know what it is, they should talk with their kids about internet safety, explain what constitutes inappropriate content and that danger lurks in chat rooms. Many online resources offer tips for talking to kids about the dangers of the internet. Children should be taught never to give out any personal or identifying information, period, as sexual predators often pose as children in chat rooms to find victims. Parents, together with children, could also create a list of rules, accompanied by agreed upon consequences for misuse, for the internet that could be posted above the computer. By keeping the lines of communication open, parents stand a better chance at keeping their kids safe from internet dangers.
Internet filtering does not necessarily require downloads or special software. Parents can do a great job of filtering and monitoring the internet for the children simply by being involved. Checking the browsing history on the computer, using online resources, putting the computer in a high-traffic room and talking to their kids are all good methods for helping parents keep their kids safe online. Parents should also remember that using a combination of techniques is the best way to filter and monitor the internet for their kids.
