Internet Use By Children

LewisFirst ComputerTech by Pete Newell - Affordable Technical Solutions
November, 2006

How I decided the "top 3" parental control programs for my Internet Use by Children column
that recently appeared in the Journal & Republican and Booonville Herald.

I did a Google search for reviews on parental control software. I assigned numerical point values to the top programs in each review. This was not an exact process, but allowed me to add up the points, as follows:

http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com/
   ContentProtect 5
   CyberSitter 4
   NetNanny 3

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/software/parental-control-software/index.html
   SafeEyes 5
   CyberPatrol 4
   ContentProtect 3

http://www.webuser.co.uk/products/Internet_Filtering_207_index.html
   CyberPatrol 5
   McAfee Privacy Service 4
   SurfSafe 4
   ContentWatch/ContentProtect 4

http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,1874,1639158,00.asp
   SafeEyes 4 Editor's Choice +1
   CyberPatrol 4
   ContentProtect 3.5

Totals:

16  ContentProtect   5 + 3 + 4 + 4
13  CyberPatrol      4 + 5 + 4.5
10  SafeEyes         5 + 5
 4  CyberSitter      4
 3  NetNanny         3

Complete text of the column as it appeared in the papers:

Internet Use by Children / Educational Sites

Children of any age should not be allowed free access to the Internet. There is jut too much potential bad stuff out there. Younger children may not go looking for it, but also may not be able to discern good from bad. Seemingly innocent web sites, games, and on-line "friends" can be very dangerous. Older children - including teenagers - may be able to filter out some of the really bad stuff. On the other hand they may go looking for it.

Instant messaging, chat rooms, and social networking sites like myspace.com are potential trouble. There is no way of knowing if the person at the other end of the connection is who they say they are, and it is all too easy for predators to con children into giving out personal information or worse.

The first thing you should do to protect your children is become an educated computer and Internet user, whether you have any personal interest in it or not. It is not a good thing to be clueless while your children are (or consider themselves to be) computer and Internet experts.

Children - especially young children - should be supervised when they are on the Internet. Older children should also be monitored, if not directly supervised.

Fortunately, programs are available to help you control and monitor what your children do on the computer. While there is no unanimous top pick, ContentProtect, CyberPatrol, and SafeEyes appeared on average to be the most favored programs at several review sites. Google "parental control software review" and read the reviews for yourself.

The two most basic functions of these programs are blocking access to certain Internet sites and monitoring Internet usage. Blocking access to certain programs on the computer and limiting the amount of time on the computer or Internet are also useful features.

If you have Windows 2000, XP, or Vista, you also can and should create limited accounts for your children, and password your master and administrator accounts.

Having said all that, any student will tell you that the Internet is a handy resource for homework assignments. However, the problem again arises as to determining which sites are safe and accurate sources of information.

Here are some suggestions:

NASA (www.nasa.gov) provides useful and fun information about space exploration.

The Smithsonian Institution (www.smithsonianeducation.org/students) provides "A place for kids to explore, discover & learn."

The Library of Congress (www.loc.gov/families) is the largest library in the world and offers a huge collection of resources spanning many disciplines. National Geographic has a "Homework Help" section at www.nationalgeographic.com/homework.

For an on-line educational challenge (not just for kids) try the "Third Grade Map test" at www.pibmug.com/files/map_test.swf. Once you've mastered that, try the place states test at www.diggpuzzles.com/games/place_states.swf. Then, check out your geographical knowledge of Northern Africa and the Middle East at www.rethinkingschools.org/just_fun/games/mapgame.html.

Instant messaging and on-line chat is not always bad. Visit sites such as www.tutor.com and www.brainfuse.com to learn more about interactive learning with online tutors (usually retired or graduate teachers).

Of course, students should check with their teachers to get their list of acceptable online resources.

Pete Newell
Affordable Technical Solutions
Glenfield, NY
376-8879