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Whether you have Internet service delivered through a cable from Comcast or via satellite from www.wildbluedeals.com, the content that can be found online is the same, and a lot of it isn’t age appropriate. Many sites are graphic in nature, composed of text, images and video that depict foul language, violence and sexual situations.
While having a free Internet is certainly important for a free society, it puts an added burden on parents to manage what material their children click on. Fortunately, there is technology available that is easy for parents to use in the fight against improper Web content.
Operating System Parental Controls
Many parents are unaware that their computer already has some available parental control applications. They are located in the computer’s operating system, and are offered by both of the major systems, Windows and Mac. Within the OS preferences, parents can block access to indicated websites, as well as block children from running certain programs.
In addition, OS parental controls can filter content and offer settings that allow entry to only age-appropriate web pages. Parents can also specify the kinds of file formats that can be downloaded.
Parental Control Software
While the parental controls offered by the computer’s OS are useful, they are not as comprehensive as those found on software for Internet monitoring. Parental control software also blocks selected websites and programs and filter content, but more. They provide parents with ratings of each site to help make appropriate decisions of what is suitable for their children. With parental control software peer-to-peer networks can be disabled, preventing children from accessing features like chat.
Software also allows parents to manage the settings on their children’s computer remotely from their own. Additionally, it can be customized for each individual user, instead of controlling the entire computer’s Internet access.
Browsing the Internet is like walking an unknown street, so these parental controls are a guide to your children.
