Learn How You Can Monitor Your Kids On The Internet
Setting up surveillance cameras is too much, not to mention ineffective, if you want to monitor your kids' activity on the internet. What you need are the right tools and processes to ensure that your kids' internet experience is enjoyable and most of all, safe.
There is no better way to monitor your kids than by sitting with them while they use the internet. This way, you are assured that you know the sites they visit and the things they do online.
It is also important to keep the internet-connected computer to open area of your house so that you can easily see what they are doing online. Having said that, an internet-connected computer inside their room should be avoided since you can't monitor them if they go online in the middle of the night.
But you can't sit with them or guard their every move online so there are ways to prevent your kids from accessing websites that aren't right for their age.
For younger kids particularly those at the age of 2 to 10 years old, it is highly recommended to download or purchase online web browsers for kids. Specially-made browsers for kids have pre-approved websites that kids can access. These browsers also filter websites which may contain inappropriate information for your kids. Other cool features of kids' browser are fun, colorful, and easy to use interface, safe, educational, and kids-friendly environment.
For pre-teens and teenagers who won't enjoy the kids-browser, one way to monitor their activity by reviewing the website history. If they aren't clever enough, they won't know how to erase it. If you find websites that are inappropriate for them, block them by adding them to Windows' "Hosts" file so that the next time they try to access these pages, they will be blocked. Or, to protect the entry of the unwanted sites from your computer beforehand, setup an internet filtering software such as Cyber Snoop, ChildLock, AOL Parental Controls, BSafe Online, FilterPark, McAfee Internet Security Suite, Net Mop, and more.
It is also encouraged that you, as parents, should teach your children the right way of using the internet. Direct them to good websites about sexuality and health, and not pornography.
Setting up hardware like router with internet filtering capability is another way to prevent your kids from accessing inappropriate websites.
Remember that hardware and software should act only as aids and not replacements to your physical guidance.
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Show Your Kids To Use The Internet Safely
Your kids are the primary target of internet-based threats like computer viruses, adware, and spyware through the websites they frequently visit and misleading information they receive. This is the reason why, as parents, it is important to discuss with your kids how to surf the net safely and away from any internet-based threats.
Downloads
Downloading files from unknown source is one of the most common reasons why the computer is infested with viruses and spyware. Free games, flash animations, bundled emoticons, jokes, screen savers, and even free spyware removal downloads are potentially unsafe. Teach your kids to assess the safety of the site before clicking on these ads or tell them to ask you first before making any moves.
Peer-to-Peer File Sharing
Free and downloadable peer-to-peer file-sharing software or p2p software has the potential to transmit internet-based threats from one computer to another. This is why it is equally important to make sure that your kids avoid using these programs.
The rule of the thumb is, never in any circumstances will you allow your kids to download programs from the internet without your permission. Ensure this by keeping their account "limited".
Safe Sites
You can't detect if a particular site contains internet-based threats on your own so if your kids are young enough to use kids-friendly web browsers, then it is advisable to do so. These web browsers are downloadable - some are free while some come with a reasonable price. The good thing about these web browsers is that they only allow access to pre-determined and pre-scanned websites so your kids are assured good sites every time they use the internet.
Junk mails
If your kids have their own email addresses, make sure that you tell them the danger of downloading attachments from unknown senders for these often contain dangerous and malicious file that can corrupt your computer.
Misleading Dialog Boxes
You often see dialog boxes saying: "Your computer might be at risk!" or "Warning! You may have critical errors on your PC." "Or your computer is running slowly." You may ignore these but your kids may not. So it is very, very important that you tell your kids that whenever they see any misleading dialog boxes appearing or just popped out from their screen, ignore them or call your attention immediately.
Explain to your kids that you tell them these not to limit their enjoyment on the internet but by making sure that they are protected from any harm these internet-based threats can bring.
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