Posted on: Tuesday, October 19, 2004
HELP DESK
Parents can make Internet safer for kids
By Kim Komando
The Internet is a useful tool for children, but it's also full of objectionable content. Here are four ways to help make your child's online experience safer.
Filtering and monitoring software
Filtering software blocks access to sites with offensive content. Restricted sites include those with hate-filled speech, violence, drug references and mature themes.
Most programs have a list of acceptable and unacceptable Web sites. If a banned Web site is accessed, you can direct the browser to shut down, redirect to a safe page, or e-mail you a report.
Filtering software also blocks objectionable words from conversations in instant messaging programs, chat rooms and e-mail. Objectionable words are replaced with pound signs, periods or just blank spaces.
Sometimes legitimate sites are blocked and questionable ones sneak through. It takes some tweaking to get these programs to work optimally.
Three popular Windows programs are CyberPatrol (www.cyberpatrol.com),
CyberSitter (www.cybersitter.com) and NetNanny (www.netnanny.com). All have free trials and cost about $40.
Macintosh users will want to look at Kids GoGoGo (www.makienterprise.com; $30) and Content Barrier (www.intego.com/contentbarrier; $59.95). Kids GoGoGo has a free trial; Content Barrier doesn't.
Keylogging software
Keylogging software is much more aggressive; it registers every keystroke typed. You'll be able to read chat discussions, e-mail and passwords. Screen captures are also recorded, so you can see exactly what your child is viewing.
Most keyloggers run in the background. They are difficult to circumvent or disable.
Windows users can look at IamBigBrother (www.iambigbrother.com; $29.99), PC Tattletale (www.pctattletale.com; $47) and Spector Pro 5 (www.spectorsoft.com; $99.95). All but Spector Pro 5 have a trial version. There is a version of Spector for Macs.
Parental controls
Some Internet service providers, like America Online and Microsoft's MSN, provide built-in Internet controls.
AOL (www.aol.com) allows parents to monitor and restrict their child's online activity. You can't prevent access to specific Web sites but you can limit access to features such as e-mail and instant messaging. AOL also provides you with e-mail updates of your child's activity. AOL costs $23.90 per month for dial-up or $14.95 per month if you use it with another provider's broadband connection.
MSN Parental Controls (www.msn.com) has similar age-based limits. You can block specific Web sites and limit access to MSN features such as music, mail and instant messaging. Your child can request access to blocked sites through the Ask Now button. This triggers e-mail sent to parents with a link to the site. MSN costs $21.95 per month for dial-up. MSN Premium costs $9.95 per month for those who have broadband.
Communication
Software can't take the place of a parent's watchful eye, so it's important to spend time with your children as they use the computer.
I have a contract (www.komando.com/kimskidscontract.html) parents can use with children. It outlines the basics — don't e-mail pictures to people you don't know, never give out personal information or meet anyone in person that you meet online, and more.
Read it with your children and both you and your child should sign it. Post it by their computer as a reminder that bad things can happen online, and that if they violate the rules, the privilege of using the Internet can be taken away.
Reach Kim Komando at www.komando.com/newsletter.asp.
