Most parents today are aware of the availability of web filters, also known as parental controls or parental control software. They are also aware of the many dangers that exist on the Internet for children and adolescents. However, most parents have not installed any parental controls on their children’s computers at home. It’s not clear if this is because they don’t feel it could be useful or they just haven’t made the effort.
Come on, what if they see some nude photos! While just a few years ago parental control software may have been used only by the most conservative parents who were worried their children would be exposed to nudity and other inappropriate content, today any parent watching the nightly news knows that there’s a lot more to worry about online than that. Today, with no barriers to entry, anyone can upload text, images and videos to the Internet today.
Unlike television, there is no official body that can control what is put online. So what you have today is utter chaos and a huge amount of offensive and potentially harmful content available. “There are things out there that I couldn’t have imagined even if I tried,” commented one parent. “No parent should take the chance that their child might see some of that disturbing material!”
It’s not just about porn. Today’s children are Internet savvy, often much more so than their parents. They don’t just browse through websites. They play, download, meet new people. Every online interaction has its potential dangers. While they may think that just because can download the latest movies and music, that’s ok, you have to realize that you could end up with a huge lawsuit on your hands from a major movie studio or record company. Downloading copyrighted content is illegal. Parental control software usually includes some ability to manage what is downloaded to your PC.
Also, beyond the legal issues, there are plenty of files with viruses, Trojan horses, and things you don’t want on your computer or home network. Kids don’t think about the ramifications of a computer virus, they want free music now. And for many people with home networks, they’ll enjoy faster speeds when their kids don’t bring the network down with all their downloads. Another useful feature of good parental controls is a time control mechanism. Imagine that instead of telling your child it’s time to go offline at night and that daily “Just a little bit more” discussion, it happens automatically. Set the schedule once and forget about it.
Aim my daughter is responsible Could be. And we don’t underestimate the importance of teaching kids responsibility online. It’s the most important thing you can do when it comes to online security. But unfortunately, there are some technologically advanced guys out there who are determined to bring their harmful content to as many computers as possible, whether you are a young child, a teenager, or an adult. And we still haven’t mentioned the problem of chat, instant messaging and social networks. No matter how responsible any child or adolescent is, anyone can be manipulated into revealing personal details or confiding in a stranger who should not be trusted. Parental controls can help mitigate those risks. You can block the use of certain programs, limit the time in those programs, or even block certain types of information from being disclosed (address, phone, etc.).
As Internet users become more aware and careful, technology is creeping up to find more sophisticated ways to scam us: stealing online identities, creating fake websites that look like sites we often use and trust, emails emails that trick us into revealing information without thinking. . .
The bottom line is that prevention is better than cure. It is well worth the small investment to get a good web filter that will give you more peace of mind and add a necessary layer of protection between your precious family and the chaos of the Internet.