Level of the Internet |
Control |
Boundaries |
Issues |
World Wide Web |
Website Rating System |
None |
Not all sites are rated; many ratings inaccurate |
Internet Service Provider |
“Parental Control” Software (example: McAfee with Comcast) Many ISPs are open to all traffic |
Spam filters None |
Not easily user-designed security, difficult to specify exact level of limits. Computer/network owner open to intrusion |
Home or District Network |
Filtering System, xxxxxxxxxxxx Router/server firewall, browser monitoring |
Filters often over-control xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Some malware stopped by routers, firewalls |
Requires much technician time to monitor & override Spam/viruses more sophisticated, getting past routers and to computers |
Local Computer |
Browser controls XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx xxxxxxxxxxxxX Monitoring Software xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Spyware xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Direct Supervision |
Full control of what is accessed by whom, and hours of usexxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Fully regulates use and real-time monitors users Can monitor all use of web, every keystroke Always parent-supervised, imparts parent ethic to kids |
Often over-controlled, requiring hands-on by parents. Needs to be installed and maintained Some parents feel it is intrusive, and all children do. Time-intensive, reduced student autonomy |
Levels of Security Risk
While in some ways the Internet seems to be the lawless wild west, it is organized in such a way that parents have the opportunity to use technology to control what comes into their homes. The grid below illustrates the levels of the system at which control is feasible and effective.
