The OneMinute Geek:

Tips for kid-safe computing

The Problem:

It’s been reported that those teens whose parents ask, “Where are you going?  Will an adult be present?  What will you be doing?  And when will you be home?” are less likely to get involved with drugs than their peers.

The same is true with your child’s activities online.  As a parent, you need to care and become involved.  From gaming, to chats, to email, your child’s safety is ultimately your responsibility.

So with all that trash on Internet and all those weirdoes trolling the Web, what can parents do to ensure their kids stay out of danger?

The Solution:

There’s no substitute for an open, loving, trusting and communicative relationship between parent and child.  Yes, it’s a gargantuan task requiring regular and ongoing effort…but is there anything more important?  Start by spending quality time with your child.  Lots of it.  Both together in front of the computer, at the dinner table, and outside at the park.  Just start.  Build a rapport.  You want your child to be able to come to you whenever he/she feels uncomfortable about anything.

Put the computer in a public space in the home.  No closed doors.  No late night online chatting after everyone has gone to bed.  Stay interested in what your child is doing.  Be genuine about it.  Steer your child away from inappropriate behavior and inappropriate material.

Define boundaries.  Set limits.  Children actually welcome discipline, provided it’s not excessive and unfair.  Explain which sites are acceptable and which are not. Explain chatting etiquette and the importance of privacy.  Use real world examples, like the proverbial stranger.  Any person that Mom or Dad does not know is technically a stranger.  We don’t give phone numbers, addresses, real names, etc to strangers in the real world…nor the digital realm.  Passwords are like house keys.  They are never shared with strangers.  Threats and other abusiveness is wholly unacceptable, dangerous and potentially illegal. And the possession and distribution of pirated material is a crime.

Consider parental control software.  Some of the best-known titles include:  NetNanny (www.netnanny.com ), CYBERsitter (www.cybersitter.com) and Cyber Patrol (www.cyberpatrol.com ). Parental control software will offer website blocking, email filters and typing blockers, i.e. addresses, phone numbers, etc.  

Some parental control software will also offer keystroke loggers, so you can see what was typed, and email logs, so you can monitor communications.  Of course, this brings up trust issues and which might just torpedo your efforts to win your child’s confidence. Keep in mind parental control software is not entirely effective—some good sites are inadvertently blocked, and some bad sites can actually make it through.

Check out kid-safe browsers.  These browsers limit themselves to children friendly sites. One such kid’s browser is the Children’s Internet (www.childrensinternet.com).

Note:  Windows XP does have an Internet Content Advisor but it doesn’t work well. To take a peak, start Internet Explorer, click Tools, Internet Options, Content, Enable.

James Kerr is President/CEO of SuperGeeks, a Hawaii-based computer service and repair company (www.supergeeks.net). Please feel free to send your questions, comments and suggestions to Mr. Kerr. He can be reached at kerr@supergeeks.net and 942-0773.