Keeping Your Kids Safe on the Internet

On the weekends, I sometimes volunteer for a tutoring program at the local elementary school in Austin, where volunteers and students get together to go over homework assignments, extra credit, and special presentations in learning. Sometimes, we have worksheets for word association, and the kindergartners and first graders go through it in groups.

I had one of those worksheets spread on a table, and we went through all of the pictures until we got to the end. The very last picture was of a typewriter, and none of the kids knew what it was. They guessed computer, check-out counter, keyboard and printer before I finally had to explain to them what a typewriter could do.

It occurred to me in that moment that kids are being raised with the newest technology. They are taught early on how to work the CD-Rom, the word processor and even the Internet. They use CD's instead of cassettes, DVD's instead of VHS tapes and they play video games that simulate real life. I use all of those things, as well, but I also used to type college papers on my electric typewriter that now collects dust in the garage.

Like any other advancement in the history of the world, these new technological gadgets have both positive and negative effects on the children of today. One of the most crucial areas of worry is the World Wide Web, and the potential dangers that lurk in cyber space.

Thankfully, most retail and commercial websites have privacy policies that protect children, and most legitimate companies agree not to do anything to attract children. However, there are millions of websites that follow no such code of ethics, and those are the places where children must be protected.

If your child has unlimited access to the Internet, you may want to consider one of the parental control software packages that help monitor your child's usage and block pornographic or unsafe material from search engines and browsers. According to the Internet Filter Review of 2006, the following software was rated highest:

Gold:Content Protect; $34.99
Silver:CYBERsitter; $39.95
Bronze:NetNanny; $39.95