Protecting Kids from Online Dangers
Today 95% of kids are using the Internet to do homework…to play games…to communicate with friends. Yet the Internet is not a completely safe place for kids to be. As a parent, it’s up to you to protect your kids from the threats on the Internet – online predators, cyberbullying, exposure to pornography and inappropriate material, revealing too much personal information, and being tricked into downloading viruses and spyware. But it’s difficult to know how or where to turn for help. What software is best for safety and what safety measures can you place in your home to keep your kids safe?
JBU has put together a few resources to get you started.
BASICS OF INTERNET SAFETY
The Internet has drastically changed the way that children interact with the world. They now have access to in-depth knowledge, tools to express their creativity, and people from all over the world. Yet along with offering a fascinating, new way to connect with the world, the Internet can also be dangerous.
As a parent you should stay well-informed about what your child is experiencing on the Internet. If they are social networking, instant messaging, using webcams, or blogging, help them learn to use these tools safely by learning how to use them yourself. Children whose parents and guardians regularly talk to them about personal safety are more likely to exhibit responsible behavior on their own. Learn about your child’s online life. Then be intentional about talking regularly about the need for safety in all facets of web useage....READ MORE
PARENTAL CONTROL SOFTWARE RESOURCES
If you want to protect your kids from the darker corners of the Internet, parental control software – also known as Internet-monitoring or –filtering software – helps keep children safe even when you’re not around. Parental control software lets parents limit what their children see and read online. It also lets parents manage time spent on the Internet or computer, select which programs children can use, and monitor and log all Internet activity. Parental control programs sometimes over-block or under-block, but performance has improved significantly over the years and is good enough to give reviewers confidence in recommending programs. Reviewers also say the top filtering programs are nearly impossible for children to circumvent.
ConsumerSearch editors looked at reviews from several sources, primarily tech publications, who say kids won’t be able to disable or fool the programs recommended below. We’ve listed their top safety filters (you can go online at http://www.consumersearch.com/parental-control-software for the full reviews and features to see what is best for your family)....READ MORE
FROM POP-UPS TO SEXTING: THE NEW DECEPTIONS OF PORNOGRAPHY
Our kids are bombarded with these constant temptations and toxic poisons that attack their innocence, development and healthy orientation to relationships and sexuality. Those of us in contact with children need to be aware of the danger pornography causes, especially in our children....READ MORE
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