Internet Protection for Children

Based on Part 4 of "A Report of the President's Working Group on Unlawful Conduct on the Internet", supplied by the Embassy of the United States, Wellington.

http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cybercrime/unlawful.htm

Avoiding Potential Danger

One of the greatest benefits of the Internet is the access it provides children to such things as educational materials, subject matter experts, online friendships, and pen pals. Nevertheless, like many other pursuits that children engage in without adequate parental supervision, the Internet should also be approached with careful consideration of risks and benefits. One concern of course is that the Internet may allow children unrestricted access to inappropriate materials. Such materials may contain sexually explicit images or descriptions, advocate hate or bigotry, contain graphic violence, or promote drug use or other illegal activities. In the worst instances, children have become victims of physical molestation and harassment by providing personal information about themselves over the Internet and making contact with strangers.

To protect children from such risks, parents and teachers therefore need to empower themselves with the tools, knowledge, and resources to supervise and guide children's online experience and to teach children how to use the Internet responsibly.

Technology provides tools that may assist in preventing children from assessing inappropriate materials on the Internet or divulging personal information about themselves or their families online. The most common technological tools are "blocking" and "filtering" software, as described more fully below.

But, we cannot simply leave it to technology. There are many things parents and caregivers can do – and they are usually within everyone's reach.

Blocking Software

Filtering Software

What Parents Can Do

Websites That Help Parents

Keeping Kids Safe Online