While the internet can prove to be a very useful tool, there are certain features and content that may not be suitable for children.  Monitoring and restricting certain access is a good way to keep your children safe.  There are lots of programs available for purchase that can do everything from restrict your children from visiting certain websites, to restricting the internet from being accessed during certain times of the day.  It is also a good idea to educate your children about the dangers that can exist on the internet.

Windows operating systems allow you to set up user accounts with different privilege levels for each person that uses your computer.  If you set your child up their own user account it will be easier to monitor what they do online and also restrict things that are not suitable for them. 

If you use Internet Explorer to surf the web there are certain built in parental controls that you can utilize for free.  Click on the link below for instructions on setting parental controls using Internet Explorer.

Open Internet Explorer

Click on the TOOLS TAB to pull down the TOOLS MENU and click on INTERNET OPTIONS.

Click on the CONTENT TAB and click ENABLE.

Select a category to view from the category list and adjust the slider bar on the screen to set the desired rating.  0 is the safest rating and 4 allows everything.

Click OK to save your new settings.

A password box will appear.  You can make the password whatever you choose.  You can use your password to log back in and change or remove the restrictions or to access sites that have been restricted.

Open Internet Explorer

Click on TOOLS to pull down the TOOLS MENU, select INTERNET OPTIONS.

Click on the CONTENT TAB and select ENABLE.

Click on the APPROVED SITES Tab.

Type the URL (website address) you wish to deny access to in the ALLOW THIS WEBSITE BOX. Then click on NEVER, this will deny access to the URL.  Or you can choose to be able to access only a few websites.  Type the URL in the ALLOW THIS WEBSITE BOX and then click on ALWAYS.

Click OK to save your new settings.