Safe surfing for kids

As events recently reported in the news clearly illustrate, the internet isn't a safe place for children. The sad fact, however, is that neither is anywhere else in the world, as a quick leaf through any newspaper will testify.

The keyword to bear in mind here is 'perspective' and it's important for all parents to bear in mind if they're to let their children go online, let alone outside.

The internet is an incredible tool that can do wonders for a child's education and it's only when it's used carelessly or irresponsibly that it can become a threat.

Most children take to computers like ducks to water, but when it comes to checking what junior's been up to online it's often easier for mums and dads not to bother.

So if you're worried about what goes on, or concerned that you don't know enough, read on. We'll take you through the risks a child can face on the internet and give you some practical advice on helping your children avoid them.

Safe surfing? No charge
A simple search for the word 'sex' will return millions of websites, but pornographic pages also tend to crop up even if you search for the most innocent of subjects. One wrong click, and instead of looking at knitting patterns, you're looking at an altogether more unexpected use of woollen goods.

Pornography websites also capitalise on popular or misspelled domain names, as anyone who's tried to guess the website address of the current US president will know.

These facts have a couple of implications. First, stumbling across pornography is worryingly easy and that's obviously not something parents want their children to do.

More importantly it also means that, just because you find that someone has used your computer to visit a pornographic website, it doesn't necessarily mean that they did so intentionally.

There are some easy ways to cut down on these kind of accidents. Most search engines have options to filter adult content from their results and Google, for example, can filter out both explicit images and text. Click the Preferences link from any Google page to find out more.

Internet Explorer has a content ratings system that will block access to sites based on sliding scales for language, nudity, sex and violence.

Not all sites subscribe to this rating system but it is possible to block them too. Go to Internet Explorer's Tools menu, choose Internet Options then Content for more information.

Block it
The measures described above are only effective if a child is prepared to use them voluntarily. Unfortunately, switching to a different search engine or web browser acts as an instant bypass.

Another option to consider is internet filtering software. You might have access to web filtering without even knowing it. If you use a router to share your broadband internet connection between two or more computers, check to see if it has its own filtering features.

Some Belkin models, for example, can block internet access altogether between certain times of the day, and the 54G router comes with a six-month trial of Belkin's own filtering service.

Again, a knowledgeable child may still be able to bypass these efforts, so for complete piece of mind consider switching to a 'safe' internet service provider (ISP).

Since your ISP provides your connection to the internet in the first place, if it filters content, there's no easy way to get at it.

V Two One and UK Online offer child-friendly services in the shape of their Safe Surfing and ChildCheck features, as does AOL AOL.

Software reviews:

CYBER PATROL 6
CyberPatrol 6 is the most family-friendly product on the market. It realises that blocking websites isn't about restricting children's surfing, but protecting them. After creating a new user for each member of the family you have to control how they will access the internet.

You pick the categories of websites and applications that you want to block and the software can monitor websites and chat rooms for banned words and phrases, which prevents children from using search engines to find unsuitable content.
Price: £34 for a 12-month subscription
Contact: CyberPatrol
www.cyberpatrol.com

ENGAGE IP WEB FILTERING
EngageIP Web Filtering doesn't support multiple users so you can only change settings that affect the whole computer. This makes it less flexible, especially if you've got children of different ages.

By default the software blocks access to all websites so you have to manually work out which categories you want to allow.

This can be troublesome, as you can allow access to one category just to find that a website that should be allowed is then blocked by another category.
Price: £30
Contact: Engage IP
www.cerberian.co.uk

MCAFEE PARENTAL CONTROLS
Parental Controls supports multiple users, each with their own settings that define the type of content they can look at.

Once you've picked a default setting for a child, you can customise the exact way that the software will block content.

At the low-end is simple web filtering to block entire web pages, but Parental Controls can also look at search requests and block your children from banned content that way.

The software can also restrict access to applications, which is useful for stopping children using instant messaging or chat programs to make contact with people.
Price: £20
Contact: McAfee
www.mcafee.co.uk

NET NANNY 5
Net Nanny is one of the most powerful filtering tools available and supports several users, each with their own filtering preferences. Restrictions include 'no restrictions', 'banned content', 'family-safe websites' and 'block all'.

In addition, pictures, pop-up windows and chat can be filtered and blocked. Net Nanny can even restrict applications so that only those that have been deemed safe by a parent can be accessed.
Price: £34
Contact: Softwair Publishing
www.softwair.co.uk
Have a look at a time-limited trial of Net Nanny here.

Online chat
As anyone who reads the newspapers will know, websites aren't the only thing that can pose a threat to children online. Online chat is almost as old as the internet itself and brings with it a host of problems for parents.

Online chat means talking to someone on the internet. It takes place in a 'chat room', where messages typed on the keyboard immediately appear in a chat window. Chat rooms can be found on numerous websites, on a dedicated part of the internet called IRC (Internet Relay Chat) and even on AOL.

Chat rooms are generally themed and cater for all manner of interests, from Beyonce to barn dancing, and most are 'public' rooms that anyone can enter.

Unfortunately this makes most chat rooms confusing, and picking out a single conversation from the dozens that are taking place takes practice. One solution to this is a 'private' chat room: a room that can only be entered by invitation.

As you might guess, one of the big attractions of online chat is that it lets like-minded people from all over the world talk to each other. The other big attraction is that you can't see or hear who you're talking to.

Chat addicts reckon that the anonymity of the chat room sweeps away the normal social barriers, allowing you to really get to know someone without having to worry about what they look like.

This can lead to some strong bonds being formed and there are married couples who first met in a chat room and only saw each other in the flesh in the weeks before their wedding.

Anonymity has its downside, of course, and this is where the problems start. It's a well known fact that chat rooms are full of people purporting to be someone they're not. But while it may be harmless for someone to pretend that they're younger, slimmer, single or even of the opposite sex, someone pretending that they're a child is more serious.

The media has made much of the threat from child molesters lurking in chat rooms and many of these scare stories are real. It's possible for an adult to gain a child's trust online, either by posing as another child or by appearing to share their interests.

From here, leading a child into an unpleasant online conversation or, more disturbingly, a face-to-face meeting is, unfortunately, easy for a practised paedophile.

However, most children will avoid meeting anyone they don't know. The 'don't talk to strangers' rule can apply here too.

CHAT RULES:

As with any public place, there simply isn't any way to guarantee that your child is safe from online threats, but there are steps you can take to keep them as safe as possible.

1. Keep the computer in a public place
Most home computers tend to find their way into a spare bedroom, and out of sight can mean out of mind. If you have the room, move the computer into a less private area, such as a corner of the dining room.

If your children are used to using the computer in full view of everyone, it won't seem like spying if you wander over to see what they're up to from time to time.

2. Use a safe chat service
If your child wants to chat online, use a safe chat service. AOL is perhaps the most child-friendly service available. It has rooms that are moderated (monitored) by volunteers, abuse of the service can easily be reported and built-in parental controls can restrict what a child can do and who can communicate with them.

3. Agree on some ground rules
Depending on how old your children are, you'll need to use some judgement in what they can and can't get up to online, but there are some common rules that everyone should adhere to.

First, children should never give out their full name, address or telephone number, or send a photo to someone they've just met online. That's not to say there are no exceptions but they should always check with a parent first.

Second, if a child arranges to physically meet someone they've met online (and there's no reason that they shouldn't - the internet is as good a place to make new friends as the school playground), consider accompanying them.

NEVER let a child meet a new online friend for the first time alone, even if they've spoken to them on the phone.

4. Get involved
It's no use trying to keep your children safe online if you think the web is just something that stops you opening the shed door. Clued-up kids are a great way to find out more about the internet, so ask yours to educate you.

Spend some time in chat rooms and you'll have a greater understanding about what your children are up to and maybe realise that there's fun to be had too.

In safe hands
The bad news is that, in the same way that all newsagents have a top shelf, no amount of online filtering or blocking will stop your child encountering unsavoury material.

Software can fail, children can use other computers and there are things that no parent can predict. So is the situation hopeless? It needn't be.

The best way to keep your children safe online is to be a responsible parent. If you want your children to use the internet, but are worried about what they'll see, talk to them about it.

Understanding is fundamental to coping with undesirable online material and, if a child has some idea of what can be found, they are less likely to be surprised or disturbed when they encounter it.

Finally - and most importantly - remember to keep the internet in perspective. Yes, there's material out there that would make even the most worldly-wise of people raise an eyebrow, but it's a drop in the ocean compared with the huge amount of useful content that's available.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Internet Watch Foundation
The IWF is an independent organisation that acts as an internet watchdog. It will act on reports of illegal material found on the net. Its website contains more information.
www.iwf.org.uk

Recreational Software Advisory Council on the Internet
The RSACi is an independent organisation that provides a rating system for websites. Browsers like Internet Explorer use RSACi ratings and they're a simple way to restrict access.
www.rsac.org

Yahooligans Two
A website designed solely for children - perfect as the start page for your web browser.
www.yahooligans.com

NCH Action For Children
Britain's largest children's charity has some useful internet information for parents on its website.
www.nchafc.org.uk/itok

AOL
An online service that uses a 'walled garden' approach to the internet that, together with extensive parental controls, makes it ideal for use by children.
www.aol.co.uk

See also:

Modern technology demands education

Closing chat rooms to protect children is absurd. Kids should be better educated instead  25 Nov 2003

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