Tips for keeping kids safe

Sunday, March 6th, 2011 (No comments yet)

Tips for Exerting Parental Influence Over Kids Use of the Internet

Fortunately, many of the kinds of problems I've talked about above can be prevented or at least reduced by simply monitoring their use (to a reasonable degree).

[+] Keep your Internet-connected computers in family rooms

Just by having other family members nearby, kids are far less likely to get involved in questionable activities online

[+] Use your router to ''turn off the Internet'' late at night

Worried about what happens while you're sleeping? Just have the Internet ''close'' for the night

[+] Use net restriction software

Sometimes it's easier to prevent them from getting in trouble in the first place

[+] Use monitoring software and devices

An excellent tool is to use software to watch your kids.

[-] Use monitoring software and devices

Generally used on older kids, these can be used with or without their knowledge, though going the sneaky route is not recommended. The goal with these is to allow them the freedom to go where they want and do what they want, but also to be able to review their activities occasionally to make sure they haven't been bending/breaking rules or getting themselves (or you) into trouble. There are several kinds of monitoring software (or hardware) you can use to help you:

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Key stroke loggers can record every key that was pressed making it easy to put together where they went and what they did there. Far superior to that is a screen capture utility that records whatever is displayed on the screen at regular intervals. This gives you the ability to see what they saw including the websites they viewed and what people in chat or forums are saying to them. There's also software that will let you remotely view their computer live from another computer. For example, if you're on vacation, you can get on the Internet, connect to your home computer and watch what they're doing. Some programs will allow you to remotely turn on the web cam and microphone on your home computer which will let you make sure they're not throwing a party while you're away.

While net restriction software can be circumvented a number of ways, the only way to stop these kinds of programs is typically to disable them (which can't be done easily without you knowing). Another thing each of these has in common is that they can be used secretly, openly, or psuedo-openly.

Secretly

In this case, you don't tell your kids that you'll be monitoring them which makes it unlikely that they'll be able to circumvent the controls. However, if you act on anything you learn from monitoring software, they'll figure it out quick enough and you might destroy your trust relationship. This approach is not recommended.

Openly

If you're brave and sure of your computer prowess, go ahead and tell them that you're monitoring them and how. There's a good chance that with some effort, they'll be able to defeat your mechanisms.

Psuedo Openly

The recommended option. In this case, you make it clear that you will be monitoring their use of the computer, but don't tell them how. This way, they will be more cautious of what they say and do, but without knowing what method you're using, they won't be able to get around your protections (at least, not without it being really obvious that they're doing so).

[+] Let your kids (and their friends) know that you will be visiting their sites

They'll keep it much cleaner and safer when they know a parent will be around

[+] Restrict access of your kid's site to their friends/family

Same as with Instant Messaging, the only people who should have access are family members and school friends (not Internet friends).

[+] Use the "President" Tip

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Chat, Instant Messaging, Forums, and Internet Blogs are fun, but make sure you post carefully.

Sometimes spyware gets in your computer and the anti-virus won't stop it. Use a spyware scanner to find and remove spyware and adware.

Use a software firewall to detect bad code on your computer when it tries to connect to the Internet.

Always keep your system up to date with security patches or none of the rest of your security software will matter.

Use an encryption tool to protect your important data when storing or transmitting it.

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Tips for keeping kids safe

Tips for Exerting Parental Influence Over Kids Use of the Internet

[+] Keep your Internet-connected computers in family rooms

[-] Keep your Internet-connected computers in family rooms

[+] Use your router to ''turn off the Internet'' late at night

[-] Use your router to ''turn off the Internet'' late at night

[+] Use net restriction software

[-] Use net restriction software

[+] Use monitoring software and devices

[-] Use monitoring software and devices

Secretly

Openly

Psuedo Openly

[+] Let your kids (and their friends) know that you will be visiting their sites

[-] Let your kids (and their friends) know that you will be visiting their sites

[+] Restrict access of your kid's site to their friends/family

[-] Restrict access of your kid's site to their friends/family

[+] Use the "President" Tip

[-] Use the "President" Tip

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Software Firewall

Operating System Updates

File Encryption

Mozilla Firefox - Internet Browser