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Children Kids in the House - an interactive center to help kids learn about the United States House of Representatives and its role in lawmaking. Safe Surfing for Kids: The Internet is an incredible resource that in just a few years has become an integral part of American life. While the Internet holds tremendous promise and offers a wealth of knowledge, it can also pose threats to our children.The wide-open nature of the Internet often creates situations where extremely inappropriate images and dangerous materials are just a keystroke away from our children. As a parent, grandparent, and Member of Congress, I want to ensure that our children can tap into the learning power of the Internet while staying safe from unseemly materials on the Web. Keeping kids safe on the internet requires a community effort that must include members of the high-tech industries driving Internet growth. I am pleased to provide a few child-safety sites for parents that I have found on the Web. Recently, an important on-line resource for parents was launched. GetNetWise was created by many of the key players of the Internet and high tech industries in consultation with Congressional leaders on Internet issues. GetNetWise is a one-stop, user-friendly, easy-to-find online resource that offers families Internet safety tips, a guide to clean content and a list of kid-safe sites. It can guide parents to the tools they need to help their children use the Net safely. GetNetWise also offers links to law enforcement and child advocacy groups to report trouble online. Parents may also be interested to learn about Yahooligans, an excellent search engine for children that blocks out inappropriate web sites. Yahooligans' also has a new program called "School Bell," which offers students help with their homework. Finally, I've found online guides to Internet filtering software and other safety resources for parents. Internet filtering is a process that prevents access to certain material on the Internet which children can easily access both intentionally and accidentally. There are a variety of programs available, such as Net Nanny, Cybersitter, and Net Patrol. While no piece of software replaces good parenting, these web-sites offer parents real tools to ensure their children will be safe while web-surfing. In the information age, parents need more help than ever raising web-savvy, web-safe kids. Happy Surfing! |
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