Most adults probably remember the radio and TV commercials that asked—“Parents, its 10:00, do you know where your child is?” The message was pretty clear—10:00pm is late and your child should be at home and off the streets. Well, the Federal Bureau of Investigation recently reported that it is not enough just knowing that your child is home during the evening because if your child is at home, but on-line, then your child is at risk.

What are the signs that your child might be at risk online?

1. One sign is when your child is spending large amounts of time on-line, especially at night. The FBI reports that at night kids go into chat rooms and talk to strangers; they look for sexually explicit material; and, often land in inappropriate adult oriented sites.
2. Another sign is if you find pornography on your child’s computer or tablet.
3. A third sign is if your child has Facebook friends or is receiving messages from people you are not familiar with, especially from older or more mature people.
4. Another telling sign is if your child turns off or hides the monitor whenever you enter the room.

As a parent, what should you do?

1. Talking openly with your child certainly is a good start.
2. Also, you should try to review your child’s internet history and monitor directly his or her use.
3. Additionally, you can control your child’s internet use with internet security software like the KidWideWeb.

What is the KidWideWeb?

The KidWideWeb is a program designed to transform your child’s internet experience by providing a completely safe, educational, and entertaining web experience.  The KidWideWeb provides two unique and important safety features. First, by its proprietary software called the Wizard Lock Security, it throws a protective bubble around your child while on the internet, making it virtually impossible for your child to land in an inappropriate site. Second, while on the internet and inside the protective bubble, your child will have access to only “age appropriate” web pages and sites that include games, education, sports, secure email, secure chat, secure text, and secure social media. While the access includes millions of web pages and sites, the key phrase is “age appropriate”. Just like you would not want your six year old on the same sites as your 10 year old and your 10 year old on the same sites as your teenager, the Wizard Lock Security provides internet access to your child depending on his or her age. Another great thing about the KidWideWeb, if your child tries to access an unapproved or inappropriate site, not only will he or she be denied access, you will be immediately notified by email and text of the site your child tried to access.

The KidWideWeb is really the only way to feel safe and secure knowing that your child is at home and on the internet!