Children can use the Internet to research topics for school papers or projects; they can stay in touch with friends through email, or play games with other children all over the world. There are endless possibilities for entertainment for kids looking for a way to spend their time. Many of these options are safe, productive ways to spend time, while others are not as good and maybe even dangerous ways for children to amuse themselves.
There are a lot of ways that parents can protect their children from the hazards found on the World Wide Web. The parents can place the family computer in a central location with a lot of household traffic. The kitchen or living room could be a good place. Parents should also set up rules for Internet use. Parents need to let their children know what sites are appropriate and which are not. But one of the most important things a parent should do is consider putting an Internet filter on their computer.
Internet filtering is available to help parents and can protect children in several ways. This helpful product is flexible and can be set at a variety of settings. Internet filtering can block pornographic sites, sites with inappropriate language, and Internet filtering can block children from online predators.
Internet filters are flexible and can be set on different levels
Many parents feel that Internet filtering will be too restrictive. But actually Internet filtering is a very flexible way to keep children safe online. It can be set to different levels to restrict certain things, depending on parents’ views and the age of a child. Internet filtering can be as strict as only allowing children to go to a couple of select websites or as unrestrictive as allowing children to go to just about any site they would like, except for a few that a parent has decided are not appropriate.
Internet filters can block pornographic sites
Children can easily come upon pornographic sites on the Internet accidentally. These websites are very harmful to children. Internet filtering can block pornographic sites by using a URL filter (an address filter), a word filter (using a list that is pre-made or a list that the parents set up), or porn sites can by blocked by filters by using a bad site list (parents can even add additional sites to the list.) Since Internet filters use a few ways to block pornographic sites, they can do an excellent job in keeping children safe from porn.
Internet filters can block websites containing inappropriate language
There are millions and millions of websites that contain inappropriate language for children. Even if a parent were to be in the same room as their child when the child is using the Internet the parent may not be able to tell if a site contains inappropriate words. Internet filtering can block websites that contain language that should not be read by young eyes.
Internet filters can protect children from online predators
Children love to use the Internet to chat with their friends or make new friends. There are many chat rooms available on the Internet to assist children in keeping in touch with or meet other children. However, the kids that children are chatting with may not be children at all. They could be online sexual predators waiting for a child willing to give them personal information. This danger is real but Internet filtering can help. Internet filtering can block access to certain chat rooms. This can help keep children safe by keeping them away from online predators.