Half of young internet users are expected to increase their on-line time to about two hours a day during the summer break.
On my latest 'Your Family Report, Internet Safety," I offer tips on how to be involved in your child' on-line world and links to getting "myspace" information.
The following is information on Parental Control Software released by Consumer Reports:
Whichever filter you choose, give your child clear directions on how, when, and where they can access the Internet.
Here's how to get the most from filters:
Consider your Internet provider. Filtering comes free with AOL, Earthlink, or MSN. AOL and MSN both filtered effectively, but AOL blocked sites such as NewsMax, a conservative political site, and Operation Truth, an advocacy site for Iraq War veterans. In both cases, a parent can override the block.
Weigh protection vs. interference. All filtering programs either overblock or underblock. For young children, look for maximum protection. For older children, look for filtering software that doesn't overly interfere.
Consider which activities to control. Older children are more likely to engage in activities such as e-mail, instant messaging, and gaming. Time-management controls help minimize fighting for the computer.
Decide how much customization you need. If your children aren't close in age, consider a program that can be customized by age. Those that offer more filtering flexibility, as noted in the Ratings, make fine-tuning easier but may not offer the best protection.
Understand that these programs are not full proof and may impede older children doing research for school reports. Some will block the entire results page of a Google or Yahoo search if some links have objectionable words in them. AOL, KidsNet, Norton Internet Security, and Safe Eyes allow searches to be completed by displaying the entire results page or blocking only offending words.
Filters and blocks regulate more than Web sites. They can prevent downloading of MP3 music and similar potentially illegal activities, disable games and other programs, and screen instant messages or e-mail messages for inappropriate language.
They can also block children from divulging personal information, such as names and addresses. Most products can set up online time limits and keep logs of online activities, sometimes down to the last keystroke.