Parental Control Software: Getting The Most Protection!
Oct 24 '00 (Updated Oct 29 '00)
Protecting your child from the unknown on the Internet can be a never ending battle, but if we care about them and what they're potentially being exposed to, I offer the following.
Outside of looking over your child's shoulder while they enjoy surfing the net as you and I do, software packages are available to conquer this task and can range from the very good to the very bad. I have tried several filtering programs; some free, and have found that it's best to download a demo of the program, if possible, to see if it fits your needs since these can run in the range of $50 or more.
Below are a few ideas that I've put together to make your job a little easier in searching out these types of filtering programs.
Content Filtering
By far one of the biggest concerns of any parent is the chance that a child happens upon a pornographic site. Programs are available that strictly provide this function but possibly no other protection besides maybe web based chat rooms.
Norton Internet Security and McAfee Guard Dog allow the input of specific sites to include in the database of offensive sites. I have found the update of the database to be the biggest annoyance but a necessary element in maintaining a current list of banned sites.
How it works. With the filtering program running and a banned site is entered into the browsers address bar, the site is checked against the database of known sites. If it's found, the site is blocked from view and the user is given this message in the browser window.
Another method includes the "pre-reading" of the sites content before allowing the user to proceed. This method is faulty though. A site containing images with little or no questionable wording will be passed through.
It's just as easy to add sites to the "OK" list by manually inputting the site address. Sometimes these filtering programs can be a little too tight on their criteria, blocking out what seem to be harmless sites.
Time Restrictions
Some software packages contain the option of limiting the time spent on the net by your young one. Since I consider Internet access a privilege rather than a reward, they can, and have been locked out of access through the use of these programs for various reasons.
One such program is McAfee Internet Guard Dog. Very easy to setup days and times of access that only you the administrator can determine.
For example you can set access for Monday through Thursday between the hours or 3 pm and 7 pm but on Fridays only 5 to 7 pm. because of violin practice is 3 to 5 pm. It doesn't insure they'll practice, only that they will not access the net.
Filtering Of Outbound Data
Don't confuse this with the operations of a firewall! This filter will block any outgoing information that you've determined private. This can include your name, the child's name, phone number, address or anything else you've deemed inappropriate.
Both Norton Internet Security and Guard Dog feature this useful option. There may be others but I have not evaluated these. Some allow the option of blocking on secured sites as well as non-secure.
Program Control
To protect your child from not only web browsing, it is necessary to protect them from chat and other programs where someone can gain access to your child.
Possible harmful Internet programs can include e-mail, instant messaging, such as Yahoo! Messenger and AOL AIM, and newsreaders.
Children's Privacy
It will be hard to maintain your child's privacy through the use of these tools but as long as the child understands that they are being utilized, it can act as a deterrent to forbidden behavior.
After setting up similar software for friends and family on their computers, I have come to the conclusion that children guard their privacy as they would a personal diary. Asking questions like "will you see all of my e-mails?" or "will it record what I'm typing?"
The answer you give them will establish how far they will push the filter to the envelope. Testing where and what the can get away with. It's best to tell them the truth with the understanding that this privilege can be revoked for actions you've set forth as improper.
Let's face it! If your parents told you not to watch channel 13 on TV (you remember, with the antenna), as soon as they left the house you were there!
Worth Mentioning
A program called SurfMonkey that works through Internet Explorer and has some filtering capabilities for web browsing and web based chat sites. The program is free and may be worth the download if you have very young children.
The program and info can be found here. http://www.surfmonkey.com
From ZDNET:
McAfee Guard Dog v3 http://www.zdnet.com/downloads/stories/info/0,,000SCH,.html
Norton Internet Security v1
http://www.zdnet.com/downloads/stories/info/0,,0015MP,.html
My Choice
For its ease of use, setup, and superior support, I have continually recommended Norton Internet Security Family Edition. Although it doesn't have a few features found in Guard Dog, it still remains my top choice.
These two programs are way above the rest. Both provide superior protection to children and include an all in one package that includes a firewall, ad blocking and privacy, along with the parental controls and anti-virus protection, all for under $50.
Overall
A young child should never be allowed access unless monitored by you the parent. All too many times I read of perpetrators gaining the trust of children and attempting to act out their perversions.
Lately I have loosened the reins on my children's access because they are at an age where I feel they can protect themselves from unwanted advances or porn sites.
Through my observations over the past year, they have shown to me common sense and the responsibility to utilize the Internet in a constructive manner.
Does this mean I don't watch them or their activities? Absolutely not! It only means that adjustments to program controls and filtering have been relaxed to allow them more freedom to explore the Internet and what it has to offer. When I was their age the closest thing to the Internet was CB radios! Remember those?
It's very easy for me to keep an eye on activity because all of my home network traffic is monitored through various programs on my computer.
What do I monitor? I'll never tell! ;)
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