7 Things You Should Know About Web Filters
You Can't Rely on Filtering Software Alone
What Every Parent Should Know
7. They don't catch everything. Most parental control programs use a combination of filtering techniques to block access to unwanted sites. But each method is vulnerable, and none promises 100% accuracy.
6. They catch too much. Text-based filters can't really determine the context of words or phrases, so they can block access to perfectly acceptable sites. Words like "sucking," for example, might get caught in the filter and prevent your kid from researching, say, mosquitoes.
5. Kids can defeat them. When determined, technically savvy kids meet filters, they find ways to disable them. In fact, there are Internet discussion groups devoted solely to this purpose.
4. Kids resent them -- and you. Your ultimate goal is to teach kids to be responsible digital citizens so they can surf the Web and use technology responsibly. Filtering software makes you the gatekeeper, whereas you want your kids to learn to self regulate. If kids feel like they're being spied on, they'll likely continue their activities on the down-low.
3. They give you a false sense of security. Given their liabilities and loopholes, these programs require you to be the system administrator of the software, with all the attendant (and time-consuming) maintenance responsibilities.
2. They're a form of censorship. As kids mature, they begin to develop their own interests, some of which may lead to areas of the Internet you're not comfortable with. But whether it's porn, politics, or potato farming, you'll have to confront these issues whether or not your kid can access them on the computer.
1. There's always a friend's computer. You have little if any control over what your kid can do on someone else's computer. So talk about responsible Internet use. Tell little kids not to click on something that looks inappropriate. Talk to older kids about the desensitizing effects of seeing too much violence and porn. Guide them toward the better things the Internet has to offer.
You Can't Rely on Filtering Software Alone
Many parents turn to Web filtering programs for peace of mind. But they're not foolproof. While they're a good tool for younger kids just starting out on the computer, older kids can outsmart them. But, more importantly, parents who rely on filters miss the opportunity to teach their kids about safe, appropriate Internet behavior. Ultimately, we want our kids to use the Internet safely and responsibly -- and no filter teaches that.
Many parents turn to Web filtering programs for peace of mind. But they're not foolproof. While they're a good tool for younger kids just starting out on the computer, older kids can outsmart them. But, more importantly, parents who rely on filters miss the opportunity to teach their kids about safe, appropriate Internet behavior. Ultimately, we want our kids to use the Internet safely and responsibly -- and no filter teaches that.
Do you use parental controls?
There are 14 community opinions on this topic
I downloaded the trial version of net nanny and blocked all the games (to test it,of course). I clicked on one of my games and it ran perfectly.FAIL
As a parent and a technology educator I feel very strongly that filters are not the way to go. As has been pointed out here, kids are very capable of finding holes in them. In fact many students I've talked to look for holes simply because they see it as a challenge, not even necessarily because they want to visit terrible sites once they get there. As a techie myself, working with computers for 30+ years, I completely understand this. Overcoming technical obstacles is part of the enjoyment of working with computers, and for some kids, getting past what they see as foolish adult blocks is no different.
We've started setting up separate log ons for our two children. I have a very mature 13 year old and we're letting him do more and more on the internet, while discussing pitfalls and dangers. We still use K9 for our 10 year old, who is ADD and has Aspergers. He still clicks on anything that looks like it might lead to cartoons and will download anything unless prevented. So while we continue to work on educating him, we also do what we can electronically for when he succumbs to his impulses. What a parent does when depends greatly on one's child. We have to assess what our children can deal with at what ages because it varies so much.
Parents should be aware that mature and civilized teens are still going to want to look at sexy things, play violent games, and what not. Its a part of there interests as teenagers, and theirs nothing you can do beyond putting in fear and threatening them, which of course is wrong and highly unmoral, and if anything should be illegal. Maturity, at least to me, is how you handle these things personally. If you go around in public doing something that would be deemed not appropriate, ex: cursing loudly, sexually exposing yourself, etc then you aren't mature. However, if you keep these things private, and keep a mature sense of language in public, then you are mature, no matter what the age, as maturity can occur at almost anytime. If you trust your teen, and he or she is a well mannered person, I say get rid of all the censors and let them have their well deserved freedom. Most likely they will find smart ways to rebel against you if you refuse them freedom and block their access to information if they are mature and yet you fail to recognize it
A lot of us haven't done anything wrong, but don't you think they'll be even more tempted to see these innapropriate things after you've decided to block them? There is always a way around a filter, my friends, and children nowadays know more about that then you. You should talk to them about these things before you start it, and instead of sneaking around doing it, talk to them about why you don't want them seeing these things.
Honestly- If you don't feel that your child is mature enough to use the internet in a civilized and age-appropriate way, then just disable that child's internet privileges as a whole until they understand how to use it properly. Filters just result in kids ending up 'empty-handed' when they go to do research on, mosquitoes for instance, and they search "How mosquitoes suck blood". If you ever have doubts about what your child is doing, I recommend just checking their internet history (which is stored on the actual computer even if they disable saving visited websites) for any inappropriate sites, and taking action accordingly.
To shorten what I've just said: Filters are a big "NO".
@ mphdavid Your son is 15 and you still block websites...
So, you want to teach your kids to self regulate, and yet you also want to make it clear to them that your faith in them is less than nothing by spying on them? And you see absolutly no problem with this?
Just put some freaking faith in your kids.
My mom trusts me. It a matter of trust. If you trust your kids, don't use software. You'll lose their trust.
my mom and dad dont use that its stupid putting up theese filters dont work anyway anyways u ppl are like trying to put leashes on your kids
Yes, we use safeeyes.com. I don't want my kids exposed unnecessarily to images or language that is in appropriate. HOwever, that said, this article made me think that now that my son is 14, perhaps I should "unlock" a bit more and learn to trust him. When I got the software 6 years ago it was a different story. And I still have an 11 year old to consider. And sometimes it's not my children I worry about by their friends who may pressure them to view inappropriate sites.
Great article. I have tested just about every filter. K9 is a free and extremely bullet-proof solution. But as this article rightly points out, it sometimes catches too much and it blocks some ports that allow for uploading to YouTube, streaming via Slingbox and more. I certainly agree that the ultimate goal is self regulation, but there may be seasons when filters are useful. During those times, K9 is a super option.
Yes. I use Bsafehome.com which catches lots of stuff and can be configured to catch whatever I want to catch. But I also am teaching responsible behavior to my 15 year old son.