When your kid tells you about inappropriate material popping up as they browsed the Web, don’t get angry at them, but use it as an opportunity to show them how they can avoid this in the future. There are certain steps you and your child can take to assure this type of incident doesn’t occur anymore.
Web Browser for Kids
Believe it or not, many websites with inappropriate material are available to children, even those under the age of 13. Your child can gain access to these sites by going to a popular search engine on a Web browser and typing in keywords related to the subject they are searching for.
Web browser settings are available that give you the ability to allow or restrict the sites your child views. There are settings for young children (8 and under), pre-teen (9 through 11), and teen (12 and older). If your child is really smart and knows a lot about the Internet, they can find ways to bypass the settings and gain access to sites not allowed.
Filtering Option
Most major search engines have inappropriate material that might show up while your child is browsing. Some search engines offer a filtering option that will keep out some of the material.
Internet filtering scans and blocks sites with certain words and inappropriate material. The filtering gives you a certain amount of control to determine what you want your child to have access to while they are on the Internet.
The filtering option is not totally effective because your child might find a way to bypass this device. Some sites that are appropriate for you might also be blocked out.
Filtering software can help to ease your mind a little when your child is browsing the Web, but you should still spend quality time with them and be aware of what they are doing on the Internet.
Web Browser on Cell Phones
Your child’s cell phone might even enable them to browse the Web. This makes it difficult for you to monitor your child’s activity because they are usually away from home when using their cell phone.
You can decide with your child what services they will have on their phone, what type of material they can download, and who they are allowed to talk with. Let your child know how important it is not to give out their phone number to strangers.
If your child’s phone has a cell phone plan, check their bill every month to see what services they are using and the phone numbers they are calling.
Discuss with your child the issue of bullying and threatening text messages on their cell phone. Tell your child how wrong this is, but also let them know if they receive any of these type messages, to tell you immediately.
Browse with Adult Supervision
Even though there are numerous ways to keep your child from being in danger on the Web, the safest way is having you or a responsible adult supervise every online session. If you cannot be with them every minute, place their computer in an area where you can monitor it at intervals. Get involved with your child’s Internet activities, and ask them often to show you the places they have been on the web and things they do while there. Also, find out who your child is sending emails to and who they are receiving emails from.
Your child’s safety is important whether they are just surfing the Web for information, emailing their friends, or playing online games.