filters to help keep kids safe on the Internet

Although protecting the future generations of the world is a great idea, teaching them how to protect themselves may be a better alternative to filtering the Internet. The homework of today’s seventh grader calls for use of the Internet. Many filters that are set up for younger aged children are great until the parents has to come in and look up their child’s homework because the filter won’t let them search for certain themes.

Even with filters an online predator can get into a child’s life. Protecting your children and preparing them for the world are two different things. Making sure you talk to your kids about conversing on the Internet with strangers and looking up information on the Internet can help in teaching them to take responsibility of their lives.

Giving children complete freedom on the Internet would be insane, but allowing them enough surf room to get their homework completed is one small way of creating self-awareness to the child. Learning their own boundaries is a big step in children’s lives. As a parent, teacher or mentor, it is definitely our place to help protect and teach the children around us how to use the Internet and how to keep themselves safe.

Adults who learn about the Internet and Internet predators have a better chance of protecting their children because they will know how to show them what is right and wrong in chat rooms, e-mails and on web pages.

Using tracking software is a great way to help in protecting a teen in your home.

As kids get older trying to tell them what they can and can’t do online gets harder so walking in their shoes may be a better way of watching them. Tracking software is undetectable on a machine and can be used simultaneously with multiple computers.

Talking with children and showing them right and wrong can sometimes be the simple step you take as a parent, teacher, mentor or guardian that can save their life. – Clanton Advertiser