The Issue

Today's parents must be vigilant about knowing what their kids are doing on the computer. There are many ways to prevent their kids from surfing inappropriate sites when they are online. Each of the ways has its strengths and its weaknesses, but there is a way that stands out above all the rest for maximum effectiveness.

For adults who give up and claim it is impossible to keep track of what their kids are doing online, I have an analogy that they can take to heart. Would they have the same response argument if the discussion was about playing with matches on the parlor floor? Then why is the topic of World Wide Web usage any different?

Age Verfication

Age warning pages or minimum age verification checks on Internet sites cover the webmaster from a legal standpoint for excluding those who are not old enough to view the website's content. Of course, from a teen's viewpoint, those measures only make the website more interesting and they no doubt check off the age box in whatever way will allow them access to the site.

Help At The ISP Level

Popular search engines and a number of Internet service providers have "parental locks" just like the V-Chip on television sets. The purpose of these is to block access to sites that have inappropriate content. One can set up search engine start to only show results of an acceptable type. There are usually levels of "safety" that parents can set.

Parents also spend money on Internetfiltering software such as CyberPatrol, K9 Web Protection, ContentBarrier, and other similar products. While they are probably pretty effective, website filtering software has its share of quirks too. The usual example is that the filters block access to medical or medical related websites such as thoat belonging to various breast cancer foundations because those sites refer to anatomy.

The Spy Solution

For an even more-high-tech solution, there are software solutions called keyloggers. Keyloggers save to memory what has been input on a keyboard and can retrieve that information. In effect, keyloggers are allowing someone} to learn what has been typed on a keyboard long after the typing is finished. You should also be aware of other programs that can record everything that takes place on a computer including, chat room conversations, e-mail messages, e-mails, email conversations sent and received, pictures downloaded, and sites visited. Some software even allows parents to set up a system to let someone know when a violation occurs such as a teen visiting a URL that a parent or guardian has restricted.

Any or all of the above suggestions may contribute to a parent's overall plan to protect his or her kids from the threats of the modern online world, but there is still one more idea that every parent should put into use right now.

Your Best Bet

The best solution is absolutely the most obvious one, which means that is easily overlooked. It can be stated in one sentence; it promotes family togetherness and it's free. Ready? Put the PC right in the middle of the main room of the house!

Would you like some time to get over the shock of this idea? I warned you that the brilliance would be in the simplicity. There's no doubt you can imagine the look of astonishment on your son's face and the screams of protest from your daughter that you are ruining her life and totally invading her privacy with this act of parental treason. You will have to listen to the arguments that your kid's friend's parents let them have their computer access in their own bedrooms.

Proper parenting skills should never be based on the neighbors and the rules they set for their kids unless they are exemplary role models as parents. If that is the case, I can practically guarantee that your their kids will never beg you to imitate their parenting skills.

Parents, stay strong and don't be afraid to get that computer front and center in the main room of the house immediately and you will never again have to wonder what your kids post on their blogs and with whom they are chatting in chatrooms.