The Internet is very useful nowadays. Not just for teachers and parents but also for kids. However, there are many online sites that are unsuitable for a child’s eyes. But some “adult only” sites ask only for a confirmation that someone is over 18 without any more proof than having the visitor click “yes”. A child can get any site that is not blocked by the parent. There are several ways to block websites, any each of them has strong points.

            Check your Internet history files. This will tell you if you children are visiting any inappropriate sites. In your web browser, click on the history tab. It should open up as a sidebar. Once this happens, you can check to see what sites you children are visiting. Take note of any that you want to block.

            Adjust your privacy settings. In most browsers, the privacy tab is located under Internet options (or options), which is located under the tools tab. Once in the website section, copy the sites that you want to block from the history page, and enter them into the block site space. You can block one site at a time this way. However, in order to block sites that you children have never visited before, you will need to take other steps.

            Check the software and your Internet history after your child uses the computer. If any inappropriate activity is going on, talk to your children about it in a calm manner. If you freak out, your child will try to hide things from you even more.

            Place the computer in a well-used area where you can visually keep track of what the children are doing. If the computer is in the same room as you, your children are much less likely to do anything inappropriate. Limit Internet time as much as possible and set clear boundaries for appropriate use.

By: Brenda M. Camero | Teacher II | Limay National High School | Limay, Bataan