Kids on the Internet

Recently, we were asked in class if we would let our kids online, specifically social networks. This was an interesting question. I think the answer really depends on a number of things. First and foremost, this is a personal decision and what one parent does with their kid does not mean that it would be the answer for another kid. Each parent probably has to look at a number of factors before deciding how to proceed. Some things to consider would be: age of the child, how long the child spends online, what kind of site the child want to visit, do his/her other friends have access, etc? Needless to say, it’s a complicated decision and probably needs monitoring regardless.

I found a few good things to consider when providing your child with access to the internet (Parental controls that keep tabs on young Web surfers). First, carefully choose your ISP (if you have not already done so). Most ISPs these days have built in parental controls and web site blockers which can come in handy. Next, choose a good router. Routers can be used to stop suspicious content from reaching your child’s computer. Next, configure your operating system to block the child from harmful internet content. For example, Windows Vista comes with parental controls. Additionally, web filters can block games/certain programs. Web 2.0 is also helping keep kids safe via efforts such as “Google Safe Content” which filters out Web sites based upon Open Directory keywords and listings. Today, there is more and more software to help keep things age appropriate. For example, AOL at School also filters searches for kids. Today, tools for social networking and messaging are not only useful but necessary. Services are able to monitor email message and IM in attempts to regulate who the child can talk to and how. For example, if a child’s uses suspicious terms during a conversation (IM), a parent is notified about the session. This enables parents to then reach out to each other and may be even identify possible predators who are reaching out to their children. One example of this is IMSafer. Some social networks have implemented controls of their own. For example, MySpace has MySpace Watch which will create a report which summarizes your chills MySpace profile and any content involving sexuality drugs, curse words, and racism.

It is somewhat comforting knowing that options such as these are available to parents when they introduce a young child to the internet. But regardless, nothing can take the place of good parenting and simply talking to your child about what using the internet means.