Parental Controls: Managing Your Child’s Access to the Internet

TV and the Internet are great resources for information, videos, music, news, downloads, and games. All of this becomes a parent’s worst nightmare when a child gains access to adult-oriented programming, websites, and materials. Internet usage without parental controls makes a child vulnerable to a number of risks. An innocent online search can direct a child to links containing inappropriate material, and access to chat rooms can expose the child to pedophiles, bullying, and even harassment.

Types of Parent Controls

• Content Filters-Content control filters give parents the power to limit access to the Internet for content ranging from objectionable materials, movies, and sites to explicit language. Content filters block subject matter and websites that parents deem inappropriate and can impede access to chat rooms, IMs, emails, pop-ups , and more.

• Monitors-Monitor controls allow parents to track the activities that take place when someone is using the device. Monitoring software runs in the background, hidden from the child. It logs information such as sites visited, people with whom chats occur, and other Internet habits.

• Usage and Usage Management Tools-Usage management tools restrict the use of a device including placing time limits and access limits, shutting down access during specific times of the day, and prohibiting certain types of usage. It allows parents to define rules for the child’s Internet activities, view online activities through reports, detect suspect activities, and take immediate action.

There are many parental control software packages on the market including Net Nanny, Cyber Patrol Parental Patrol, OnlineFamily, Norton, and Safe Eyes. Check online reviews from other parents to see which option is the best for you.

Regardless of which parental control measures you use, talk to your children about computer usage. Make sure they understand why you monitor their usage, discuss the importance of not sharing personal information, and make computer time a fun time for everyone.