Blocking Out Questionable Websites

One step you can take to prevent your child from visiting questionable websites is to install software that will simply block out certain websites. Depending upon the type of security program you install on your computer, it may have a parental setting option that will allow you to easily keep certain sites blocked out. These programs can also be set up to only allow the Internet to be accessed at certain times of the day. This way, you can be certain your child is only browsing the Internet at times when you can monitor it more closely.

Checking the Browsing History

While blocking questionable websites is an easy way to help prevent your child from visiting certain sites, it does not guarantee that your child will stay away for the sites you do not approve of. In addition, some parents and kids find this software to be frustrating because it tends to block out sites that are not actually “bad,” while other sites that are questionable might still make it through the filter. Therefore, whether you use this software or not, it is still a good idea to check your child’s browser history.

If you have Internet Explorer installed on your computer, you can check the browser history by taking the following steps:

• Click on the “View” on the tool bar at the top of the page
• Select “Explorer Bars”
• Choose “History”

You can now choose to look at the sites that have been visited today or on any specific date that you desire by browsing through the box that will appear on the left side of the screen. You can also bring up this box by simply pressing Ctrl + Shift + H.

If you have Firefox on your computer, on the other hand, you will need to take the following steps to view the browser history:

• Click on “History” on the tool bar at the top of the page
• Select “Show All History”

From here, you can choose to view the history for today, yesterday, the last 7 days, this month or last month. Just as with Internet Explorer, you can also click Ctrl + Shift + H in order to bring up the browsing history.
The downside to using this method to monitor your child’s computer usage is the fact that the browsing history can be easily deleted. Of course, if your child is clearing out the browsing history, it certainly gives you reason to be suspicious of what your child might be up to and what he or she is trying to hide.

Installing Monitoring Software

In order to make sure you are able to view all of the sites your child is visiting, you might want to consider installing monitoring software. With this software, you will still be able to view the sites your child has visited even if he or she deletes the browsing history. Many of these products can be installed and used without your child even knowing it has been installed. To select the program that is right for you and your situation, it is a good idea to talk to a computer expert who can recommend the right software to meet your needs.

Although there are many “techie” ways for you to monitor your child’s online activities, it is important to remember that there is no better prevention than to maintain an open line of communication with your child. Before he or she even gets on the computer, be sure to discuss how to stay safe online and what types of sites are and are not acceptable. By laying down clear ground rules and by continually discussing your expectations with your child, you will have the greatest chance of keeping him or her safe.

As a parent, you are probably experiencing an ongoing internal debate when it comes to keeping your child protected: to snoop or not to snoop. On one hand, you want to be able to trust your child and to respect his or her privacy. On the other hand, you want to keep your child protected and the best way to do that is to know more about his or her friends and what they are doing.

This age-old debate has been burning in the hearts and minds of parents for many generations, but the technology boom has moved this debate beyond deciding whether or not to read your child’s diary or to monitor his or her phone calls. Thanks to the technology age, there are far more reasons for you to be a bit more concerned about what your child might be doing in his or her spare time. Furthermore, technological advancements have provided parents with far more reason to do a little snooping. In fact, here are 5 reasons why monitoring your child’s computer activity is a good idea.

Reason #1:  Online Predators are a Frightening Reality

Perhaps the most important reason to monitor your child’s computer activities is to keep him or her safe from online predators. Back before the Internet was around, you didn’t have to worry about your child making contact with absolute strangers when he or she wrote in a diary. Thanks to social networking sites, however, it is quite simple for your child to make contact with people all over the world. While there are certainly positive aspects to being able to meet other people online, it also puts your child at risk of connecting with predators who are up to no good. By monitoring your child’s activities and by placing restrictions on certain websites, you can help prevent your child from becoming a victim.

Reason #2:  Online Content Can Questionable

Monitoring your child’s online computer habits is also important because there is a great deal of incorrect or possibly questionable content on the Internet.  While every parent wants his or her children to become educated individuals and to learn more about the world around them, some of the information contained on the Internet may be of a more adult nature or may simply go against the morals you are trying to instill in your child. By monitoring his or her activity, you can make sure your child is not receiving incorrect information or being guided down the wrong path.

Reason #3:  Online Photos Can be Quite Graphic

In addition to containing questionable written content, the Internet is also full of nude and pornographic photos and videos as well as videos and photos that depict graphic violence. Most parents prefer to keep these images away from their children, particularly while they are still young. Yet, these types of pictures and videos are quite commonly found on the Internet.

Reason #4:  Posting Online Photos is Easy

Not only is it easy to find offensive pictures on the Internet, it is also easy for your child to post pictures online. Unfortunately, some kids don’t realize just how serious posting a photo can be, particularly if it is a picture of questionable nature.  These pictures spread easily and quickly around the Internet and can lead to a great deal of embarrassment. Of course, posting pictures also puts your child at an even greater risk of being taken advantage of by a child predator.

Reason #5:  Purchasing Online Items is a Snap

Finally, monitoring your child’s online activity is important because it is quite easy to make purchases online. All your child needs is to get a hold of your credit card and you might suddenly find yourself receiving a number of expensive items you don’t really want to have.

Now that you know why you should monitor your child’s computer activity, visit my blog again as I will write and post new article called  How to Check Your Kids’ Surfing Habits soon.