Internet Safety: Resources for Parents

Kids are always on the cutting edge of the next technology, and parents tend to be a bit farther behind. So how can we protect our children appropriately from Internet dangers when those dangers seem to change every day?

At a recent Jewish Family Service event for parents and children, "tech guru" Omar Gallaga pointed parents to resources they can use to stay that step ahead. Mr. Gallaga, Austin American-Statesman tech culture writer and National Public Radio "All Tech Considered" contributor suggested:

1. www.google.com/FamilySafety. This website includes instructions for using Google's "SafeSearch" tools for Internet browsing, Youtube, and mobile phones. (It also tells you how to keep the kids from turning the controls off.)

2. www.NetNanny.com. This content-control software product allows parents to block children from objectionable websites, including pornography. Net Nanny offers a similar product for cell phones.

3. www.WhatTheyPlay.com. Video games can be a concern for two reasons: The games themselves can contain violent images and action, sexual themes, and cursing or sexual language -- and some video games allow multiple Internet users to speak to each other. WhatTheyPlay.com lets parents know specific images and language used in the games -- and what children can expect to hear from other players, too.

4. www.safetyweb.com. This service lets parents know exactly what's on the Internet about their child, what information the child is uploading for the world to see -- including text, photos, video, and friends' comments -- and provides alerts for parents regarding inappropriate content, including cyberbullying. The website also offers articles and blogposts on a variety of safety-related topics.

Other resources include www.fbi.gov (search for "Internet safety") and www.netsmartz.org, a source for Internet safety news and information about cyberbullying.