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***Tools to Help Parents Monitor Children’s Internet Activity

Topic: ParentingBy Pamela Myers, BSEd Educator submitted by Dr. Robert MyersPublished Recently added
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Children of all ages are using the internet these days. Parents know children need access to the internet for school but they’re conce ed about their child landing on a page with inappropriate content. The following are some tools to help parents monitor children’s internet activity and give them some peace of mind. Technology can be a wonderful tool but it can also be risky for young children. When you’re conce ed about your children’s use of the internet, you want to see what websites they’ve visited and how they’re using the computer. Here are some free things you can do to monitor your children’s internet activity: Log onto the computer your child uses and onto the internet. Look through the websites your child has visited. Go to the upper left hand corner to File. Scroll down to Tools and then click on Internet Options then Settings. This will bring up a list of all websites visited on this computer. Write down any website addresses which have you conce ed so you can discuss them with your child. Create a list of websites which are off-limits because they can have content not appropriate for children. These could include MySpace.com and YouTube.com. There may be others, but this will give you an idea about the types of site which may not be right for your child. Keep the computer children use in a central location where people will be going past them occasionally. If you notice your child hurrying to cover up or turn off the screen, you may have an indication your child is viewing something they shouldn’t. Check with your internet provider to see if there is a program they offer to help protect your children. If they don’t offer a program for free, they may be able to make a recommendation for a free or inexpensive program. Do some research for yourself. There are so many software programs offering to help you monitor your child’s internet usage, you’ll want to compare them and find the one that will work best for your family. Prices range from free to $100 or more. Some will allow you to install the program on more than one computer at a time. You can learn about what your children are doing online by looking on the browser they normally use. You can also purchase or download software which will give you many options for blocking or filtering out inappropriate content. These are but a few of the tools to help parents monitor children’s internet activity. Compare what is available and you’ll be able to make an informed choice to find what will work best for your family. Parent Tool Kit: More Information & Resources • More articles on Internet Safety • Cyber Safe Kids, Cyber Savvy Teens • Safe Eyes Parental Control Suite (WIN/MAC) Website URL: http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/kids_media/parental-controls-internet.shtml

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About the Author

Pam Myers received a BsEd in Education and her teaching credential from USC and was a 6th grade teacher for 13 years for the Ocean View School District in Huntington Beach, CA. She and Dr Bob met at USC and were married in 1971. Pam is the proud mother of two grown children, Lauren, who is a Special Education teacher in the La Habra School District and a son, Greg, who is a TV and Film editor. She retired from the public schools to raise her family and has continued to work with children and families through various activities including serving as a PTA president, working with OC Philharmonic Association to bring music education to children and is serving in the youth ministry at her church. Pam and Bob worked as a team on his radio shows and she provided management support in his private practice. Painting and live theater are her passions as well as the protection of children and animals.

Robert Myers, PhD is a child psychologist with 30 years of experience working with children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and learning disabilities and is the creator of the Total Focus Program. Dr Myers is Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at UC Irvine School of Medicine. “Dr Bob” has provided practical information for parents as a radio talk show host and as editor of Child Development Institute’s website which reaches 3 million parents each year. Dr. Myers earned his Ph.D. from the University of Southern Califo
ia. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, Learning Disabilities Association of America and CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). www.childdevelopmentinfo.com

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