| This is the first in a series of articles designed to help | | | | setting up strict filtering is very easy and usually |
| non technical parents get control of and create a | | | | requires only a few clicks of your mouse. |
| safer Internet for their family. | | | | So, Lets get started setting up a search engine that |
| Kids online today are, for the most part, much more | | | | filters out inappropriate text and images. I will focus on |
| computer literate then their parents are. This leaves | | | | the Google search engine in this article. However, |
| many parents in the dark about Internet safety and | | | | Yahoo, AOL,MSN also have very similar features. |
| what to do about it. I hope to change that and show | | | | Go to |
| parents in an easy step by step process how to | | | | - To the right of the input box by word Google you will |
| make things a little safer for their kids online. | | | | see the word preferences, Click on it. |
| I am going to cover a simple yet very effective step | | | | - This opens up a new window "Global preferences". |
| any parent can do on their computer to create a safer | | | | - About half way down the page there is a section |
| environment for their family *note: I am assuming | | | | called safe search filtering. Underneath that click on the |
| parents have already talked with and covered Internet | | | | line that says: Use strict filtering (Filter both explicit text |
| safety rules with their kids. | | | | and explicit images) |
| One thing every kid will do on the Internet is search. | | | | - Now, very important, at he bottom right corner of the |
| Searching is how they will get their homework | | | | window, click on save preferences. You're done. This |
| questions answered, find new songs, research new | | | | process is very effective at stopping most all |
| products, find new layouts for their MySpace site etc. | | | | inappropriate images and text from showing up in your |
| If your kids are using a search engine that is not | | | | kids search results. *Note; you may want to check on |
| configured to use strict filtering, then it can and will | | | | this setting from time to time, it can be turned off just |
| return very inappropriate text and images. Luckily, | | | | as easy. |