Using thre internet is now a part of our daily lives, and of course our children’s, whether they use it as research for school homework, watch TV shows on internet channels and for older children to interct with their family and peers. However, in todays world, it does worry me the dnagers that my children could encounter on line when they are older, and I will want to now how best to safe gaurd them from these threats, which will be harder to manage the older they get. Today’s post is about protecting our children from the dangers of the world wide web.
Exploring the Internet is now a part of most children’s daily lives. For today’s generation of children, the internet provides limitless opportunities to learn, browse for information, connect with friends and play games. Many homework assignments involve online research, and social circles are formed and maintained in the virtual world, making it integral to children’s development in the modern world.
However, these opportunities come with serious risks such as exposure to inappropriate content including pornography, and excessive violent, racist or illegal material. Access to this material can have damaging effect on children and cause distress. In 2013, the Internet Watch Foundation removed 9,500 web pages from the Internet. But for every illegal web page out there, thousands more exist that are legal, but inappropriate for children. Although many have age restrictions, with a minimum age for registration, the barriers to prevent younger browsers from joining are often weak and easy for tech-savvy children to by- pass.
It’s important to talk to your children about online safety, so that they are aware of the risks and can help to keep them safe online. A good example is teaching children about the dangers of talking to strangers in chat rooms or on social media sites, or sharing personal information online. As a parent you can also have conversations with your children about what they use the Internet for, the sites they visit, and who they talk to. However, the reality is that many children access inappropriate content accidentally or search for it through curiosity. It can be difficult as a parent or guardian to keep track of what your children are doing online, especially with access through tablets and mobile phones on the increase. It’s therefore vital to set your own parental controls to protect your children when they’re online
The Parental Control feature of your antivirus software allows you to explore the Internet while blocking access to inappropriate content with pornographic, violent or similar content. There is also a custom filter giving you control the content that is accessible to other users. Overall, the Internet is a great tool for children, once steps are taken to keep them safe. By talking to your children, keeping informed about what they’re doing online and setting parental controls, you can ensure their experience on the Internet is safe and positive. Then the educational and social opportunities can allow them to express themselves and explore in a safe environment.