discuss Lock down the internet to open it up

[MapleDots]

Let me explain the title with a bit of history....

I am a father with two impressionable children and I am forever trying to lock down the internet so I can slowly acclimatize my children to some of the dangers of the internet.

My children are 9 and 12 now and are inquiring more and more about what is on the internet.

I have always thought there should be some filters on the internet when it comes to our children. Now I'm not for censorship but I am also not for complete freedom of speech either, I think some things don't need to be out there for all to see.

So I always thought why not just keep www.internet open and free to all and put in a parallel web and have it start with wws (wwsafety) or something. So anyone wanting to run sites on that internet would have to go through a screening process. Sites would get pre-screened for hate, porn, child friendly etc etc.

This way a parent could give access to wws and all would be safe. There could be a regulated board in charge and companies could not direct advertising to children, also hate speech would not be allowed etc.

So as an example adults could use www and libraries could use wws.

Seems to me that wide open everything is just as bit too extreme nowadays and I for one would be open for some common sense filters. I would probably spend much more time on wws where I know that if I search for Mercedes I will see cars instead of a stripper named Mercedes.

With a wws firmly in place you could let the www evolve how it wants to, uninhibited and wild. Anyone including companies that want to elevate themselves to higher morals could move to wws.

Just a thought.

 

[WhoaDomain.com]

Isn't there something like this on Google like a "PG" parental guidance filter? I could be wrong.

 

[HotKey]

Well, there's always this thing called parental monitoring. This way, we aren't dependent on technology to do our parenting for us.

My daughter and I built her first desktop together when she was 3 years old, and put right off a little corner from the dining room. Her mother and I always know what she's up to, no Internet filters required. She's now almost 10 years old, and doesn't know any different, and finds it perfectly normal for us to be standing over her shoulder at any given time.

She also knows she will never own a cell phone until she's 18.

 

[Want2learn]

There are filters . . . my guess is in a couple of years for your elder child . . . he or she will be able to get around any filters you put out there anyways.

To me you are one of the all stars here. You and @toughdomains both were gracious in how you interacted with me and very encouraging in addition to correcting some errors in my judgment. Too bad I didn't know you both before I got married!

To your kids you are probably a dork. No offense. I am now certified in AP Psychology and one of the mantras was Just because something is possible does not mean it is probable. I think in this case it is most probable that you showed us who you were. You purchased a domain for XXXX. Someone said their domain was stolen. You said you would refund the money with no strings as long as they could prove ownership and all. I commend you for that. I would not have done that the same way you did. My point is, you can't fake that . . . you could, but no point to! That is who you are imho. Talk with your kids. I remember in 7th grade hearing kids talking about masturbation. I had no idea what it was. I went home and asked my mom what masturbation was. I have an older brother with Downs. He use to do the ole Al Bundy hands in his pants. More like adjusting/scratching. Anyways I use to think masturbating was simply hands in the pants because of the explanation I got. Its either going to be you, their friends, or the internet to teach them these things!

@MapleDots

 

[HotKey]

^ ok, nevermind. Lock it down. And throw away the key.

 

[MapleDots]

just a footnote here....

Filters wont work anymore when google releases its encrypted browser

Don't know about you guys but that scares me a bit

 

[Internet.Domains]

Uggghhhh.....Parenting should not be about setting filters and expecting companies, such as Google, to say what is good or bad for children. Its 100 percent the responsibility of the parent to decide. Filters and corporate boardrooms are not parents.

Passing responsibility really seems to be this millennial mindset and by not accepting the greatest responsibility, which is being a parent, you play into it.

 

[HotKey]

So many, easy way to protect the kids ourselves, without feeding the nanny state overtaking our society. If you're going to introduce your children to tech, better make damn sure your up to teaching them how to navigate it, or controlling where they will visit.

It's like, would you just hand the keys to your car to your kid, and say, hey the car has a built-in nav system, go for it kiddo!

Anyboo, one solution where as a parent you don't have to be reliant on a search engine to raise your children, is just bookmark a bunch of kid-friendly sites, make the bookmarks accessible and teach the kid how to use them, and only them.

If they deviate, unplug from grid.

 

[enlytend]

Additional suggestions:

Look into parental controls in browsers and Google’s Safe Search...
Teach your kids critical thinking.
If they get around your parental controls... well... white hat hacking is a growing and very lucrative career.