Internet Safety Tools: Filtering & Monitoring

Computers and the Internet have become extremely valuable to people in many ways. Most of us turn the computer on and use it without really thinking about how all the chips and codes do what they do. We just care that it works. But having even a little knowledge about how a computer works can help to get the most out of it.  While computers and the Internet can open great opportunities and possibilities, they can also bring unwanted dangers, especially for the safety of kids and teens. It’s only natural for parents to worry about what a child might run into on the great big World Wide Web.

But there are tools available that parents can use to make computers safer for kids. These computer safety tools, like computers themselves, can have technical aspects and limitations that may be confusing. However, by taking a little time to learn some of the ins and outs of these tools, parents can help their kids surf more safely. It is important to remember that no computer tool is worth more than having open communication in your home about the Internet and your expectations. In addition to filtering software, ask your children to sign a list of online safety rules, and establish family rules about technology use.

Filtering vs. Monitoring

Filters: Filtering programs work to block content, such as pictures or text, from ever reaching a computer. Some filters can also be used to block information, such as identification data, from being sent from the computer out to the Internet. Filters can either be directly installed on your home computer to block objectionable content, or they can be installed on computers outside your home, operated by the filtering software company.

Most filters use one or more of the following methods to block unwanted content:

• The program automatically searches for prohibited content (usually words) and entirely blocks any website found to contain such content.

• The program automatically recognizes certain words or word combinations, and blocks just that particular content. This kind of program can censor language such as in instant messaging or web chat. This is also the type of filter that can block the divulging of private information such as home address or telephone numbers.

• The program uses a list of websites found to have unwanted content, and blocks access to those sites.

• The program uses a list of websites found to have “safe” content, and limits access to only those sites.
  
  While filters can be helpful tools for parents seeking to protect their children from online harm, it is important to remember that filters are not full-proof.

Some of the drawbacks of filtering include:

• Over blocking 

Many filtering programs err on the “safe side” when deciding which websites to block. While the filter software designers usually have the best intentions, as a parent you may not agree with all of their choices. For example, in the interest of preventing a child from seeing pornographic images, the choice might be made to block all sites that have any nudity at all, even renaissance artwork. The choice to designate a particular site as inappropriate can be motivated, either consciously or subconsciously, by the blocker’s beliefs, and these choices can influence the information your child receives.

Filters that rely on automatic content searching (usually certain key words) can lack the common sense and awareness of context that human readers use to tell the difference between appropriate and inappropriate. Some words are only indecent if used certain ways.

• Under blocking

Filters that rely on lists of banned sites usually cannot keep up with the creation of new sites, and so these as yet-unrated sites can slip past the filter. If the filter relies on the user to keep it up to date, this problem can become even worse.

Filters that rely on automatic content searching can be fooled or blinded. A word with the same meaning as a banned word can slip through as a different word, or even a different spelling. Inappropriate content can also be hidden within innocent words and misleading labels. Also, filters that concentrate on blocking words may do little if anything to block inappropriate images. 

• Vulnerabilities

Parental over-reliance on filtering can lead to an inflated sense of security and a dropping of guard. A filter is a tool to be used by parents, not a substitute for parents.

A tech-savvy child may be able to get around a filter without a parent’s knowledge. The very presence of filtering could even be seen as a challenge to such a child, and could result in exposure to unwanted content that the child may not have otherwise sought out.  

Filters, especially when highly restrictive, can limit the development of a child in his or her ability to make responsible choices. This could make the child more vulnerable in instances where the filter is not there to protect them.

 

Monitoring: Where filters aim to keep certain bad content from ever getting to kids in the first place, monitoring tools can let parents know what kinds of  content is getting through to, and being sent out by, their children. Monitoring can be done with or without the knowledge of the children being monitored. 

What kinds of monitoring tools are there? 

You might not realize it, but nearly all Internet connected computers already have some monitoring tools built into their web browsers. 

• The “History” file of most browsers can keep a list of the websites accessed by that computer. 
  “Cookies” are small programs installed by an Internet browser onto a computer to help the website recognize the computer when the user returns to that website. The cookies that accumulate while browsing the internet are stored in a file that can be searched. While cookies are frequently not legible to laypersons, the file names will often indicate the source website and can even include inappropriate language. 

• The “Cache” is part of a browser where images and other information from the internet downloads and is stored so that it can all be assembled for viewing. The files in the cache, especially images, can be viewed to get an idea of what a child has been looking at online.

• User settings for all of the above can be set to various levels to change the amount and duration of information collection. But be aware that a child with knowledge of computer functions might be able to cover his or her tracks by erasing/deleting information, or replacing incriminating information with new information that appears harmless.

Additionally there are many types of programs that can monitor computer use and activity. These programs can take many forms, and operate either within the monitored computer, or remotely from another computer. Many monitoring programs fall into the following two broad categories:

• Screen monitoring or mirroring – The monitoring program operates like a surveillance camera, allowing the parent to see a duplicate of what the child is viewing on their computer screen. This can occur in real-time, or be stored for later review.

• Keystroke monitoring – The monitoring program records what keys are being typed. This can allow a parent to read not only the text of e-mail and instant messaging, but also terms entered into search engines and website addresses (URLs) typed into web-browser programs.

Considerations with monitoring: 

Legally, parents are given great latitude when it comes to peeking into the privacy of their children. Monitoring a child’s online activity is almost always going to be within a parent’s rights, but there can be consequences beyond what is legal and what is not.  

• If a parent chooses to monitor the child’s online activity, the parent needs to decide whether or not to tell the child about the monitoring.

  • If the parent tells the child that he or she is being monitored, the child is more likely to be deterred from engaging in inappropriate activity. However the child may also react negatively and feel mistrusted and resentful. The child may seek to access the Internet elsewhere, such as on a cell phone or gaming system, which could result in even less supervision of online activity than before.

  • If a parent chooses to monitor in secret, it is likely that the parent will get a more honest picture of what the child is up to online. A parent should consider the “what if?” possibility should they catch the child engaging in inappropriate behavior. If the parent  chooses to confront the child about a problem behavior, the parent will then have their cover blown, and it is very likely that the child will feel his or her trust has been betrayed. The after-the-fact nature of this kind of "gotcha" monitoring can feel like a trap to the child, and may cause considerable strain and awkwardness between parent and child. 

Recommendations or endorsements?

While JWRC’s mission is to educate families and communities to prevent the exploitation of children, there are technical details and questions involved in the choice and use of internet safety tools that are best answered by computer professionals. When researching or asking computer professionals about online safety tools, we recommend parents keep the following in mind: 

• One size may not fit all. Ask about what tools are best suited for the particular situation between you and your and child. Don’t just assume that what works best with a 10 year old is also best with a 15 year old.

• Technology can change quickly, so ask about and consider if and how the tool can be kept up to date, and how it will or may work with other programs and hardware.

• Look for multiple and independent reviews and opinions about online safety tools. While safety products are mostly sold and marketed with good intentions, it is still best to be a cautious consumer. 

More Web Safety Tool Information Resources:

The Websites below are not affiliated with JWRC

“Net Smartz 411 : parents' and guardians' premier, online resource for answering questions about Internet safety, computers, and the Web.”
http://www.netsmartz411.org/

“Net Safe Kids: How Can I Protect My Child?” from the National Academy of Sciences 
http://search.nap.edu/netsafekids/protect.html 

“Age-based guidelines for kids' Internet use” from Microsoft 
(Good if you use Windows or Internet Explorer)
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/family/age/stages.mspx

“Protecting a user from inappropriate Internet content” from Apple
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.5/en/8976.html

Parental Controls information from Mozilla for FireFox users
http://support.mozilla.com/kb/Parental+controls

Safety information from & about some popular destinations on the Web:
MySpace-www.myspace.com/index.cfmfuseaction=cms.viewpage&placement=safety_pagehome 
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/t/safety 
Face Book - http://www.facebook.com/help.php?tab=safety