|
|
Internet Content Filtering
When Internet content filtering first came on the scene, I thought it was paranoid and stupid. I was a different person back them. First of all, I was only 17, and besides that I was single. I couldn't figure out why anyone would bother with an Internet content filter. After all, I thought, anything that kids are going to seek out on the Internet is something that they could find on their own anyway. Since then, however, the Internet has grown and so have I. Internet content filters make a lot more sense to me nowadays. You see, as a new parent I want to keep my kids as safe as possible. I had to do a lot of soul-searching because I don't believe in censoring information. However, I have realized that filtering Internet content is really the only way to keep them safe. There are just too many bad things out there.
The problem is that Internet content filters in general don't work very well. You see, every company involved in Internet content filtering seems either to have its own agenda, or to not really understand how the web works. Some Internet content filters block perfectly acceptable information, while other ones don't block nearly enough. I have even seen some that filter Internet content that shows how to disable them!
The biggest issue is that the Web grows so quickly that it is impossible to keep track of everything on it. Although Internet content filtering tries to get around this by having keywords list and sophisticated context searches, ultimately it tends to fail. This is why the best Internet content filters have come up with another approach. Simply, they do exactly what virus checks have been doing for decades now: they offer periodic updates. Even with these updates, however, Internet content filtering tends to vary in quality. The only way to know for sure is to try yourself.
Ultimately, Internet content filtering is no replacement for good parenting. The bottom line is that if you are not willing to spend some time on the Internet with you kids, you will not be able to adequately supervise them. It is every bit as simple as that. The Internet is not like the TV – The programming is not limited to a certain number of stations. The Internet is more like a vast, easily accessible black market. If you want to keep your kids safe, you have to watch them like a hawk.
Summary
Internet content filtering is used by many businesses and parents. It does not prevent all questionable sites and content, but most do a very good job overall. There is no replacement for active parenting, so be involved and know where kids are surfing and what sites they are visiting.
Related Articles
Blocking Pop Ups
Online For Kids
Related Sites
|
|
|
|