18
May

What can we do about Internet safety for our families?

The Ultimate Homeschool Expo and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine’s Expo are both over now. Whew! I talked to a number of people, and shared my passion for computer literacy in homeschools.

A hot topic: one of the main roadblocks for computer literacy in homeschools is the Internet safety issue, as I am sure you are aware. Families are wary of computers because they know they must protect their kids from the dark side of the Internet. Yet they need to prepare their kids for the workplace. What to do?

I recommend that families get an Internet filter, and also that they not rely on it. Be sure to put the computer where you can watch it. Also be sure you have a login password that only the adults know, and limit time on the computer.

Some people wanted to know what I recommend in the way of Internet filters. I know of at least three decent ones: NetNanny, SafeEyes, and Covenant Eyes. I believe them to be pretty similar. A filter blocks sites that the software finds may contain objectionable material. For sites that are blocked by mistake, a filter guardian (you, the parent) can make an exception. Levels can be set: strict, not-so strict, and so on.

But what about your kids as they grow up? More than 70% of men from 18 to 34 visit a pornographic site in a typical month, according to a study. Plenty of women do it too. And of course, it’s addictive.

Covenant Eyes also offers software that allows adults to stay accountable. This lifts Covenant Eyes above the competition in my opinion. As your children grow up, they can transition to the accountability software, keeping the filter if they choose to.

Here’s how the accountability software works: the individual installs it on his computer and chooses an accountability partner, normally a close friend or a mentor. This software keeps track of where the individual went on the Internet and emails a regular report to the accountability partner, with any problem sites flagged.The partner will hold the individual accountable.

This will empower your family member to take charge of the situation. Perhaps you know marriages that have been destroyed by this addiction. I do. The stakes are high.

The Covenant Eyes website has plenty of articles on this subject, which is a subject we all need to look at without fooling ourselves. It’s a scourge for our nation.

I urge you to take action and protect your children, now and in the future. In fact, I’ve asked the Covenant Eyes people for a discount for you, my friends. Here it is: you can get the first month free if you use the discount code “MBB” at checkout. This applies to either the filter or the accountability software, or both. For more information, go to the Covenant Eyes website at http://www.covenanteyes.com/?promocode=MBB

I hope this is a blessing for you.–Phyllis Wheeler

Photo credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24258698@N04/ / CC BY 2.0