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Episode 8: Computer Safety and Your Kids

Episode Air Date: April 10, 2009

Episode Summary

This week our TechDish Über Tech talks about how to protect your kids from the evils of the internet. The world of the internet can be a hazardous place for your kids to play. Do you know what sites they view? Did you know there are ways to prevent inappropriate content from being viewed? Read on to find out!

Family Safety—It's Vital

No loving parent wants to expose their children to the dangers of the "real" world—and that protection should extend to your computer as well! In an unprotected, unmonitored environment, your kids can access anything and everything from violence, pornography, online predators…the list goes on. Today we're going to talk about key things to know when it comes to your kids and their use of the computer.

It all starts with Communication

Talk to your kids—make sure there is an existing open relationship so your kids feel they can communicate their worries, fears and concerns with you. If they are involved in social networking sites, either make sure you have access to their account(s) or put up your own profile and add them as a friend so you can monitor who they talk to and what is said. And by all means, take some necessary steps to monitor and filter inappropriate content—before it reaches the screen.


Free and Effective Tools

The following tools and methods are free, and are very important—pay attention to them!

Browser History

Built in to every internet browser (eg. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, etc) is a History Feature that logs all websites that are being viewed. In today's browsers you can specify for how many days you want the browser to save the history. Parents should go through the history on a regular basis to ensure they know what sites are being visited by other members of the family.

Install Windows Live Family Safety

A brand-new product from Microsoft, Windows Live Family Safety is a very powerful tool. From the manufacturer's website: With Family Safety, you decide how your kids experience the Internet. You can limit searches, block or allow websites, decide who your kids can communicate with when they’re using Windows Live Messenger, Hotmail, or Spaces and monitor what websites they're visiting.

It is important to note that you need to have Windows Live Family Safety installed on every computer your children use in your household. This is a free program, and TechDish strongly recommends this as a great start to monitoring and filtering web content on your computer.

Paid Tools

Purchase and Install NetNanny

Highly acclaimed as an industry leader in Parental Control Software, NetNanny is local software that monitors, filters and restricts content from coming into your home from the internet. But it does so much more than that! NetNanny can:

  • Log IM and Chat conversations, and alert you for potential predators and cyberbullies
  • Generate reports for social network user profiles
  • Restrict PC Games from being played, according to your settings (based off of ESRB® ratings)

For a Free Trial, click here.

Read the latest NetNanny review by PC Magazine.


TechDish Do's & Don'ts

Safety is #1, But Communication is Also #1

Yes, we are allowed to have two "#1's". The main focus of today's episode is keeping your family safe when using the computers in your household. But also, you as a parent need to communicate what you're doing and why to the rest of your family members—this will help to avoid conflict and will also help create a much more open relationship with your family.

Do:

  • Talk to your family
    If you install software that is going to affect how your family uses the computer, it's best to let them know immediately the changes you have implemented. This will help curb any anger/resent over these restrictions later on
  • Stick to your guns
    As parents, YOU are the decision-makers of the household—don't let your kids talk you into anything you don't want them to do. If they are upset about the restrictions you placed on the computer, calmly walk them through why you are doing this, to help them understand you are concerned about their safety.
  • Listen to your family
    If your kids request a website or game that you are blocking, take the time to entertain their requests. Tell them that you will review the website/game and then you can decide if it deserves an override. This helps reinforce your child's trust for you as a parent, and let's them know that you are at least willing to listen to their requests.

Don't:

  • Become the "Bad Guy"
    Implementing a rigid, unwavering set of policies will set your family against you. Make sure your family knows that at the same time you're trying to protect them, you are willing to listen to their requests
  • Restrict your family from using the computer
    Your kids are growing up in a generation where computer skills are going to be emphasized just as much as other core skills like reading & writing. "Pulling the plug" on your family computer is going to harm your kids more than help them.

TechDish Hot Tip

TechDish Hot Tip

Override your Software Filter's Settings

Most free and paid software filters allow you to override the settings to allow access to a specific website, game or DVD. Instructions vary depending on the software title, but this is usually accomplished through your administrator account & password.

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