Internet+Safety+Tips

= = =__**Parents and Internet Protection Settings**__=

Kids have an amazing ability to understand and use technology, and most of them did not learn it from their parents. So how do parents keep their kids safe from inappropriate internet content if their kids know more than they do? It’s not as difficult as you might think – and, your kids really don’t want to accidentally land where they don’t belong. Below is a list of 5 tips for keeping kids safe from inappropriate content while on-line.

First, if you have internet in your home, at the babysitter’s or Grandparents’ houses, consider discussing with your family and caregivers exactly what permissions you set for internet access at these locations. Discuss how your kids are being monitored and determine if any of the following tools could be used to minimize exposure while on-line. For example, home internet providers (charter.net) offer **Parental Control Settings** that can be used to limit content that can enter the home.
 * Tip 1: Internet Provider Parental Controls**

Next is the WIFI router in these locations. If parental controls through the provider is too limiting, log into the router directly and set up different password protected filters based on the age of users. Parental controls can be applied to certain times-of-day and content. The filter will keep the “yucky” stuff from getting to your kids’ eyes without limiting you, the adult.
 * Tip 2: Home Router Parental Controls**

In addition, settings on ALL internet browsers should be set to help catch anything that might slip through or be “undefined” by the other filters. You may want to use specific browsers that are designed with kids’ in mind, such as McGruff Safeguard.
 * Tip 3: Internet Browser Parental Controls**

Finally, don’t forget about the parental controls on the kids’ internet enables devices, including ipods, ipads, readers, smart phones, game consoles, smart TV, and other, older hand held devices, such as Gameboy. Apple devices parental controls can be set through the “settings” icon, under “restrictions” to ensure access and content, including apps and music is age appropriate.
 * Tip 4: Internet Enabled Device Parental Controls**

For more information about protecting children on-line, go to [|www.commonsensemedia.org].
 * Tip 5: Be proactive**