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During the next year your kids are bound to be spending more time than ever before surfing
the web. The Internet is a marvellous resource – for research, education, news, leisure and socialising. But let’s not be fooled.
Just like anything where society at large has access, there are some risks, and you may be worried what exactly your children are looking at online.
While the best parental guidance is undoubtedly physical supervision, it’s not always possible to be there, leaning over their shoulders while they surf or chat to friends via e-mail.
So how do you control what they’re viewing without physically padlocking the keyboard?
There are a couple of things that parents can do to protect their children to ensure a healthy
and informative online experience, rather than a disturbing and counter-productive one. Natalie Thayer, General Manager of MWEB Home, says MWEB offers members two online filter options.
“Web Filter is a programme that blocks any sites you select from popping up without a password, and Parental Guidance automatically blocks harmful web pages or sites that feature subjects such as pornography, criminal activities and gambling.”
The idea is to give parents peace of mind while their children enjoy the benefits of the Internet. The installation of Web Filter is easy, and free to MWEB members.
MWEB has compiled a list of the top tips for parents to help minimize the risks our children
might encounter online.
photos and school name in public messages such as chat rooms, forums, forms or questionnaires.
online.
uncomfortable.
viruses or spam. Children should never click on any links that are contained within e-mails from strangers as these could lead to inappropriate websites.
charge to MWEB members online at www.mweb.co.za. Web Filter is a unique filtering solution for Internet content where rules can be created for each user, creating separate surfing restrictions on a single computer.
Using an easy category-based listing, you can control exactly what websites your kids can or cannot access, giving you peace of mind when you’re not there.
durations that your kids can surf the Internet. Discuss your proposed rules with them and make sure that they understand what you mean by it. Post the agreed upon guidelines near the computer as a reminder.
child's online identity (parents should know children's user IDs, screen names, and passwords in case of online emergencies).
hear the person it would be easy for someone to misrepresent themselves. Make sure your children are aware of this possibility.
be true probably is. Be very careful about any offers that involve you going to a meeting, having someone visit your house, or sending money or credit card information.
Internet access can be a valuable educational tool and by making it a social activity, your family will learn together what the Internet has to offer, and enjoy it safely!
Have we missed anything? Let us know what you think...
