Keep children safe while they surf the net

Computers can be pretty amazing tools, especially to a child. And, with the Internet, it can open up vistas beyond our imagination. But with all this comes added responsibility for parents and the need for them to be aware -- sometimes even paranoid -- of what is lurking in the vastness of cyberspace that can be harmful to children. According to the Office of the Attorney General (www.atg.wa.gov), one in five kids between the ages of 10 and 17 have received sexual solicitations on the Internet in the last year. Also: One in 33 were aggressively solicited and asked to meet with the solicitor, called the kids, sent them gifts or mail. One in 4 had been sent pornographic material. One in 17 were threatened or harassed. These statistics can make any parent want to put the computer in a locked room and post and armed guard at the door. But there is a better way. There are many tools available that can help regulate not only how much time your offspring spend on the computer, but how they surf the Net. But, before you begin, you may want to draw up a simple contract between yourself and your children specifying exactly how much time they can spend on the computer and what they can do with it. Samples of these contracts, including one you may want to use, can be found on the Internet at http://kids.getnetwise.org, which is also loaded with many tips for safe surfing. Once that’s done, you may want to look into installing some parental controls on your computer. These are programs that can limit the time children spend on computers and limit their Internet access. Some even monitor your child’s computer usage, giving you a complete report of what they’ve done. There are many of these types of programs available, but some of the more popular are: EyeTimer, which limits the number of hours children can spend online and monitors their Internet usage. But, unfortunately, it doesn’t limit access to inappropriate Web sites. SurfPass, which not only limits the time kids can spend on the Net and monitors their usage, it prevents access to most pornographic and graphically violent material, prevents access to material advocating hate groups, advocating illegal activity or gambling. CyberPatrol, which, in addition to all of the features listed above, can limit all computer use and is considered to be the most comprehensive of these filtering devices. Subscribers to America Online can also take charge of their children’s Internet usage by using AOL for Kids, which not only limits access to objectionable Web sites and limits the time children spend on computers, but also gives you complete control over what they see when they’re on the Net. And, like CyberPatrol, AOL prevents access to undesirable chat rooms and filters out offensive email. It also includes a search engine that filters out sites inappropriate for children in the 6-to-12-year-old age group. GetNetWise has a more complete list posted on its Web site at http://kids.getnetwise.org. The New York Public Library (www.nysl.nysed.gov) has some great tips for parents and also lists a few Web sites that "focus on the needs and interests of children and teenagers." Most of them are run by other libraries in the state, but they all contain content suitable for children. Another great Web site for tots to preteens (actually ages 1 to 9) is www.kidsych.org, which features games ranging from simple mazes to puzzles. The Internet can be the source of great knowledge and entertainment, but as with anything else, but along with this comes a vast responsibility. A simple Google search for ‘kids and the Internet" produces an endless list of Web sites dedicated to safe surfing. Take the time to make sure your children are protected and then give them the keys to the computer and let them discover the wonders cyberspace has to offer. The Middletown Press 2005

Babon News

Keep children safe while they surf the net