This ain't Mayberry

Parent's are always trying to protect their kids.  This is why we often can hear them saying things such as, "Don't eat the dog's food", "Please stop pulling things out of the cat's litter box", "If you eat too much candy you will vomit", "Please stop putting peanut butter on your sister", "Take the toilet seat off of your head" and most importantly, "Wear clean underwear, because you never know when you might get into a car accident".  

Sadly, however, it seems that many parents I've seen today are more protective against the dangers of dirty underwear than those of the internet.  According to Covenant Eyes more than 7 out of 10 young people hide online behavior from their parents in some way. Over 35% of boys say that they have watched pornographic videos "more than they can count"  Even if you're thinking "my child would never do that", the internet is full of predators.  There are marketers for pornographic companies that literally target children. They intentionally associate their material with common search words that small children will use so that they can hook them at an early age.  Additionally, porn companies will use incredibly common sites to name theirs after, yet change the ".com" to a ".net" or other ending, preying upon those who make a common URL error.  In 2010 more than 25% of young people surveyed indicated that nudity has come across their screen without them searching for it (I am sure now that statistic is higher).  No age is too young to protect your child.  I have adult clients who have shared with me that they were first introduced to porn as young as 7 or 8 years of age.

Please, if you wouldn't stick your kid in a war zone, or a shark tank do not allow them unprotected internet access.  If we love our young people enough to make them brush their teeth and wear clean underwear, how about protecting them from real dangers!  In this age, there really is no room or excuse for ignorance.  Please check out some of the sites below today and get filtering and accountability for your child (and yourself!) on phones, ipads, laptops, PCs and any other device.  It's the loving thing to do.  After all, the internet ain't Mayberry.

Covenant Eyes
K9 Web Protection
Net Nanny

Internet Filter Reviews