What Parents Can Do
How parents can create a safe Internet experience
 |
1. Locate the computer used by children in a central location in the household so that its use can be easily and unobtrusively monitored by adults. Make a habit of being at home and nearby as the computer is being used.
2. Learn how to use your browser's history tools and security settings. In Microsoft Explorer, go to the Tools drop-down menu and click on Internet Options. There you will find Security and Content settings you can adjust to gain a certain amount of control over what is viewed on that browser. In Mozilla's browser Firefox, click the drop-down menu History to set always-visible browsing histories for all to see. Regularly review your child's browsing history, and let them know you do and what you see there.
3. Use any available monitoring tools on your computer. Microsoft's new operating system Vista includes parent controls to set usage and gaming limits. Read here how Vista does this. Firefox does not feature any built-in parental control functions.
4. Install Control and Monitoring Software to control your child's access to particular kinds of websites, whether they can participate in interactive activites, and the time periods during which they may access the Internet. This can be particularly helpful if adult monitoring of child usage is difficult. Spyware is the ultimate oversight tool, and is a particularly powerful deterrent to children when they know that mom or dad can see every web page they visit and review every key they press on the computer. Inform your children you are carefully monitoring their activity for their own safety. Links to products available to parents are on the resource page.
