Many parents are under the impression that parental control software is software you install on a young child’s computer just to make sure no pornography inadvertently pops up. For older children or teens, there is often an assumption that installing parental controls would be an invasion of privacy or an indication that the parent does not trust the teen to be responsible.
First of all, it is not only about responsibility and second, most teens do not always exercise good judgment – and no experienced parent of teens will argue with that point.
A responsible child and a web filter?
My kids are responsible. But they are naive, they have friends that I can not take responsibility for and they are not in control of what goes on in the online world in which they are spending time. The dangers that an older child or teen may encounter online are not just about risky behavior. Obviously, a teen who searches for online sources to buy drugs from or who has a porn habit, is abusing his Internet use. But teens who are using the Internet for ”normal” activities such as socializing and playing games, are open to dangerous situations as well — from being exposed to pornography to phishing scams to the temptations of gambling and other problematic content and activity.
Time online is also increasingly becoming a problem yet increasingly ignored as a problem. Often, once children reach a certain age, parents give up on limiting their time on the computer. The computer, usually located in a child’s room, may even stay on 24/7 and parents usually lack visibility as to how much time their children are actually using the computer and online. Too much time online is being tied to many problems – from weight gain to eye strain and back pain to actual Internet addiction. Just sleeping in a room with a computer running in the background has unhealthy effects!
Even when we do a good job at parenting our teens, there will be challenges. Adolescence is tough on most kids and crises can occur. Teens don’t often let their parents in on what they are going through and even children who have always behaved, can get into trouble. Good kids can learn to gamble. Good kids can get interested in porn. Good kids can get involved in illegal Internet activity. Don’t be naive. Don’t immediately assume it can not happen in your home.
Installing a web filter does not mean that you are invading your teen’s privacy. It means you are an involved parent who takes responsibility. It’s not about listening to their conversations or spying on them. If you can talk about rules and limitations and explain that the web filter is a tool for enforcing those rules, your child will accept this and even be relieved to have your guidance and concern. A web filter will allow you to control how much time is spent online, when the Internet can be used and you can set up what types of content can and can not be accessed. Once set up, you will usually not need to do anything else and you can feel peace of mind that harmful content can not enter your home.
