How can I monitor what my child uses the Internet for

Asks Howard Piercy

A. It is difficult to monitor everything your child accesses on the Internet, unless you sit beside him or her when they sit down to use the PC. The best way of monitoring is by using a combination of technology and trust�- and don't forget that our children are a computer friendly generation and are likely to know a lot more about computers than their parents.

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If you do want to use technology to monitor usage start with your home page as this is where most Internet journeys start - and ensure that it is child friendly. In addition, Internet portals like AOL and Freeserve allow you to ensure that some web sites cannot be accessed by your children with their parental control options.

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The history folder (click on the arrow below the line where you type in your Internet addresses) will also tell you what sites have been visited most recently - so you can re-enter these to double check on what the kids have been up to.

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Q. How do you change a home page

A. It is very simple. All you have to do is connect to the site and page you'd like as your home page, select TOOLS from the top menu, then INTERNET OPTIONS, then under HOME PAGE click on USE CURRENT and then click OK.

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Q. Would you recommend filtering Internet content

A. Filtering works well, but it can often work too well and strip out lots of valuable information. It usually works by comparing a selected URL with a list of banned sites and prohibiting access to them. They often don't pick up chat rooms either. You can access filtering software from Netnanny, Cybersitter and Cyberpatrol.

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Q. Do any organisations monitor Internet content

A. The Internet Watch Foundation has a great site and monitors offensive websites and offers advice to parents on Internet control. It is especially useful if you are unfamiliar with the Internet and feel that your children know more than you. Its Safe Surfing Guide is second to none and should be read by all parents to ensure that all the facts are known.

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It has a fantastic guide for children too and aims at keeping them cyber SMART, the IWF recommends that all children know and adhere to the SMART guide, it is as follows:

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S is for SECRET - keep your personal details secret and never use your parent's credit card without permission and never give away your name, address or passwords

M is for MEET�- never meet anyone you have contacted in cyberspace without your parents/carers permission.

A is for ACCEPT - do not accept emails, open attachments or download files from people or organisations you don't really know or trust - they may contain viruses or nasty messages.

R is for REMEMBER - remember that someone online may not be who they say they are. If you feel uncomfortable or worried in a chat room simply get out of there.

T is for TELL - always tell your parent or carer if someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or worried.

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Q. Can you recommend any good kids-only websites

A. There are several to choose from, a few good ones include:

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http://www.kzuk.net - incorporates a family

only ISP

http://www.kidsdomain.co.uk - has lots of games and activities

http://www.safekids.com��- great games

http://www.yahooligans.com - filtered version of the Yahoo search engine.

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WH Smith has just introduced a children's section to its website that is designed to encourage children to read books. It has lots of book reviews, competitions and interviews with children's authors. It also allows you to pre-order books and has a few good sales.

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Some other popular sites from the Top 100 children's favourite sites include: http://www.discoverykids.com, http://www.lego.com,

http://www.nick.com,

http://www.edu4kids.com, http://www.funbrain.com, �

http://www.purple-moon.com.

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If you have any other Internet related questions, please click here

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By Karen Anderson