Internet access has become a part of family life, with access either at home, at work or at school. Millions of people surfing the internet at any given time. This means web security is a big concern for parents when it comes to their children’s online safety. So what are the best ways to allow your children access to the internet without risking their safety?

What are the risks?

There are all kinds of situations children could come across while using the internet. A rising concern is cyber-bullying. Access to internet pornography is another area of concern for parents. Or they could end up attracting a stalker.

Then there are the issues of them visiting websites that are just not suitable for children.

How to Prevent Undesirable Internet Use

It is possible to put restrictions in place on your computer or laptop. These restrictions would block sites that are not suitable for children. Sites you can block include gambling, pornography, drugs, racism and more. The easiest way to do this is to set up Web Filtering on your internet connection. You can do this yourself or you can subscribe to a service that blocks these sites for you.

Internet providers are helping parents take more precautions today as well. BT, Virgin Media, Talk Talk, etc., all offer a service which allow you to restrict internet access with ease. This usually involves an extra charge to your Broadband account, but is usually no more than a few pounds a month.

Modern Operating Systems, like Windows 10 from Microsoft, often have a family safety package. It takes just a few minutes to set up the Parental Controls and it gives you peace of mind for you too.

Social Media – Boon or Bane?

Being active on Social Media is a desirable pastime for most kids today. This can be a real cause for concern for parents. You just never know who they may end up friending, messaging or even chatting with. One way to handle this is to only allow them access if you have joint Administrative rights on their accounts. This way you can then go in and set permissions and restrict certain access if necessary.

Use Privacy Settings on your accounts to block access for non-family members or friends. You can also restrict games if you wish. If your children love to post about what they are doing, limit who sees this to just friends.

Who’s Watching Your Children?

Another safety precaution you can take is to not have the webcam running on your computer when your children are using it. This prevents any unwanted communications or illicit photos without your knowledge. You may be unable to disconnect a built-in camera. You can apply a piece of opaque tape over the lens to prevent unwanted use.

Conclusion

Web security is extremely important and should not be overlooked. Each day new users arrive on the Internet and not all of them have good intentions, especially when it comes to children. Take measures to protect your family as much as possible. But remember, despite what the media and some companies will say, you are safe most of the time you are on the internet. With a little vigilance and a bit of knowledge, you will help keep yourself and your family safe.