How NOT To Protect Your Kids From Online Predators   by Matt Marshall

If you want to protect your kids from online predators and adults-only websites, there are quite a few options out there for you to choose from.

But unfortunately, you need to do a good deal of research before you decide on your strategy.

Here's why: There are many protects out there that will protect your kids "half way". What I mean is that there are many products out there that will only protect your kids "part-time".

So let's dive in and look at your choices:

1) "Blocking Software": If you are concerned about your children viewing pornographic or questionable material online, "blocking software" might be what you need.

Blocking software does just what the name implies: The software quickly scans various websites and "decides" what is acceptable and what is inappropriate.

The pros of this style of protection are simple: When everything works correctly, your children will not be able to access objectionable material online.

The Problem With Blocking Software

There are tons of problems with blocking software. First, it doesn't take long for your kids to figure out that you've installed blocking software on the computer. True, this might dissuade them but more likely it will just encourage them to find another computer to use, either at friend's house or at school.

Second, blocking software is notoriously flaky. Many objectionable web sites can slip through the filter software... while other "harmless sites" get blocked. For example, an animal rights website, the website for the Ontario Center for Religious Tolerance and an anti-racist website were all blocked by a major blocking software package. But here's the biggest problem with blocking software...

They Don't Stop Predators and Pedophiles!

Site blocking software only blocks harmful websites. Predators and pedophiles can still access your children through email, instant messages and even gaming software.

So if you want to protect your kids, you need to step to the next level.

Level 2: Ultimate Awareness

I've said over and over that to fully protect your kids from online predators and pedophiles, you need to be aware of what your kids are doing online. And you need to be aware at all times.

One way to do that is to install a keylogger on your computer. Keyloggers record every single keystroke that some makes on that computer.

So if your kid types an email... you'll know about it. You'll know about every website that your child types in... every search term... and every instant message.

This is the ultimate form of protection because you know exactly what's going on.

Of course, most keyloggers have their problems too. For one, they are usually highly technical pieces of software and most "non-geeks" don't know how to properly install them.

Secondly, the fact that they record everything is actually a weakness. Here's why: Odds are, your kids are online quite a bit more than you are. So if your keylogger software sends you a 95 page document detailing every single thing that your child has done online... you may not have time to go through it all.

Of course, the very best option is a combination of communicating with your kids, being aware of what they're doing online and keeping the computer in a public place.

About the Author

*** Matt Marshall is the author of "Behind Your Back & Under Your Nose: What Your Kids Are Really Doing Online." He teaches concerned parents how to protect their kids from online threats. To get your free report, please visit http://www.WhatEveryParentMustKnow.com

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