While it is tempting to argue that the internet and kids go together like sharks and custard, in truth there's no keeping them away from it.
With Easter upon us, parents are entitled to feel more than the usual concern at the average three hours per week a child spends online. However, recent press coverage has probably exaggerated the extent of an admittedly serious problem. The internet can be as safe as you want, it's just a question of how draconian you want to be and how much you trust your kids.
According to the Internet Watch Foundation the organisation that investigates and monitors offensive websites, there are three areas of potential danger to children: Content, Contact and Commerce. Only the first two are perceived as serious problems, but all can be overcome by a combination of using the technology available and following the basic rules of childcare.
"It's a good parenting issue," says David Kerr of the IWF, "and it can be approached in any number of ways. At the younger ages it's no more than looking over their shoulder or keeping them out of certain areas. As they get older they face the same dangers they face on the streets. It's a matter of training and trusting them."
And trust is fundamental. Yes, it is perfectly possible to filter internet content heavily and snoop on what your kids are up to, but both are blunt instruments and can backfire in spectacular ways. Kids are not only protective of their privacy but there are good reasons why this should be respected. The NSPCC website includes instructions on how to delete temporary folders and History files to prevent genuine pleas for help becoming known to abusers. Just as any child would resent you recording their personal phone calls, so unnecessary snooping on email or browsing habits could have very counterproductive effects.
As a rule, then, protecting your children from online dangers falls into four stages, briefly outlined on these pages. Finding the right combination depends on how much you are prepared to entrust to technology, and what you prefer to deal with yourself.
Keeping tabs on your children's activities just through Internet Explorer is easier than you might think. Be warned, however, that older kids have a habit of rising to the challenge of such obstacles.
Controls
1) Setting up home: The homepage, above, is where most online journeys begin, and choosing a safe one will eliminate most problems in a stroke. In Explorer select Tools|Internet Options and type in your preferred address. Some suggestions for safe homepages are listed.
2) Monitoring activity: The History folder keeps a record of the most recently visited sites. You can inspect this log by opening Explorer and clicking the arrows to the right of the address window.
3) Double checking: You can also take a quick look at the Temp and Temporary Internet Files folders, which keep a record of applets and cookies that often betray Spam advertisers and unwelcome transactions.
4) Content controls: Internet Explorer can block access to any website that has not signed up for an RSACi rating. There are four levels of control, the first only blocking the most offensive (and honest) culprits, the last excluding almost everything. These settings can be tweaked and are password protected.
5) Spotting the birdie: While little can be done to track or filter adult chatrooms, follow-up material is easier to spot. Offensive images, for instance, are usually stored as .jpg or .gif files, and videos tend to be in an .mpg or .avi format. You can search for them by clicking Start|Search for Files or Folders and then typing in the file extension. You can view them all at once by right clicking in the search window and selecting View|Thumbnails.
