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Nowadays, the Internet has become an everyday tool in our lives and in our children lives. Parents face a mission of protecting their kids in the cyber world.
The Internet has become the playground for many young children. Young children, from age two, use the Internet to play games, learn, socialize, interact with each other and much more.

There are many sites that are suited for kids, even from young age, but surfing the Web is not such an easy task for them. Young children (2- 6 years old) encounter problems when they try to surf the Web since their language skills are limited. Most browsers are not suited for such young children and they need their parents help in order to use them.

Since browsers are the gateway to the Internet, young children find themselves limited in their ability to use the Web. The solution for many parents is to sit down with their young children when they use the Internet and help them in their first steps in this virtual world. It is a great solution—it is not recommended to let young children to surf alone without adult supervision. Parents can use this time to teach the child guidelines for surfing the Internet. The problem with this solution is that some parents don’t have the time to sit with their children when they use the Internet on a regular basis. Also, many parents are not knowledgeable in suitable safe websites for kids.

This problem was recognized by a few companies which are trying to create browsers for kids. In general lines, kids’ browsers provide a gateway to the Internet suited for young children, allowing them to surf to websites that have content that is suitable for their age. These browsers function as enclosed environment protecting the young users from Internet threats. Most of these browsers are offered as a service in return for a license fee or annual fee.

A few examples for kids’ browsers:

• KidRocket -
  This browser is freeware. KidRocket blocks out the entire internet and only let the browser access limited, child-related Websites. It also has a feature of Email for Kids with Art/eCard attachments and a feature of time lock for limiting a child’s time on the computer.
  Its requirements are:
  A PC running Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP or Vista and Internet Explorer 5 or a higher version.
• KidSurf -
  This is a basic filter browser that allows parents to control the content their children are exposed to when they use the Internet. You can purchase a license for this product for a fee of $5.99 USD. Parents can choose from a list of websites or add their own websites to the browser favorites. There is also optional password protection of parents’ desktop and parents’ setup screen and a usage timer that parents can set to limit their child’s online time.
  Its requirements are:
  Microsoft Windows. For best results we suggest a broadband connection (Cable or DSL).

• Kidzui -
  It is a very popular kids’ Web browser. Kidzui Web browser allows children to surf only to suitable websites and also offers access to games and videos. Kidzui also is being offered as an add-on to Firefox browser. Kidzui company states that their directory has more than 800,000 sites and suited for kids 3-12. Each child that uses Kidzui can choose an avatar that represents him/her in the browser. Kidzui is offered free, but there is a charge for premium services.
  For a free account users can:
  • Access suitable content
  • Create their own avatar – Zui.
  • Be a member in the community and make (parent-approved) friends.

  For a free account parents can:

  • Add individual websites.
  • Get access to parents account.
  • Get emailed reports of their kids’ online activity.

  For a payment of $7.95 USD/Monthly or $39.95 USD/Semi-annual or $29.95 USD/Annual –
  Users can:
  

  • Get over 100 new Zui clothes and accessories.
  • Get over 40 new backgrounds.
  • Watch as friends come online and share new stuff.
  • Say Hi to their friends.
  • Set their mood activity to tell their friends how they feel.
  • Create their own channel with favorite content.

  Parents can:

  • Block individual websites.
  • Get kids’ online activity graphed for 90 days.
  • Get unlimited history of their kids’ activities.
  • Add favorites to their kids’ accounts.
  • View their kids’ top interests by their online activity.

  Kidzui requirements are:

  • Intel Pentium III 500MHz or faster processor.
  • Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or later) or Windows Vista or Mac OS X.
  • Internet Explorer 6.0 or later or Firefox.
  • Adobe Flash Player 9.
  • 512 MB of RAM or more.
  • High Speed Internet Recommended.
• KidThing-
  Kidthing offers a work environment for children, which has interesting and educational content. It is different from kids’ Web browsers because Kidthing creates its own content. It uses the Internet, but it is not a Web browser. Kids can use this product without being connected to the Internet. After downloading the software the kids have access to limited number of activities. Parents can add content by purchasing additional content such as, books, games and videos available for a fee of 3-10 USD each.
  Kidthing requirements:
  PCs running Windows XP or Windows Vista.

• Kido’z-
  Kido’z Web browser is currently free. In the future, the company intends to charge for premium services.
  It is a Web browser that allows access only to content which is suited for children ages 3-7. This Web browser offers content that was pre-filtered to suit children, games, videos and YouTube for children.
  Parents can add their own content to the system. They can also decide to share this content and have it reviewed by the company editors. If it is found to be suited, it is added to the product directory for the use of other members in the community.

  A few of its features:

  • Supports 17 languages.
  • Exit Control protected by password so the child will not be able to leave the safe environment.
  • Daily Time Limit function.
  • Automatic Customization of the content based on the settings of the child’s account such as, gender, age, language, nationality etc.
  • Video Search.
  • Content Ratings – parents can rate the content and view other parents’ ratings.

  Kido’z requirements:
  KIDO’Z uses the Adobe AIR runtime and can be installed and used on every system for which AIR is available. These are the recommended requirements by Adobe:

  Windows

  • Intel® Pentium® III 1GHz or faster processor, 512MB of RAM.
  • Recommended: Pentium 4 2GHZ or faster, 1GB RAM.
  • Windows Vista® Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise including 64 bit editions, Windows Vista SP1, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition SP2 and SP3, Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows 2000 SP4, Windows 2003 Server.

  Mac OS X

  • Intel Core™ Duo 1.83GHz or faster processor; PowerPC® G4 1GHz or faster processor.
  • Mac OS X 10.4.11 or Mac OS X 10.5.4 and 10.5.5.
  • 512MB of RAM.

  Linux

  • Intel® Pentium® III 1GHz or faster processor, 512MB of RAM.
  • Recommended: Pentium 4 2GHZ or faster, 1GB RAM.
  • Fedora 8, Ubuntu 7.10, openSUSE 10.3.

Websites for Tweens and Teens:

Tweens (=kids ages 10-14) and teens have developed language abilities and they usually surf freely without the need of adults help. Differently from young children, they are not limited in their abilities to surf the Web. Sometimes they are more Internet savvy than their parents. On the other hand, they still need to be protected when they use the Internet.

Studies have shown that Internet parental control software has limited success in these age groups so it can not be a sole solution. Parents strive to protect tweens and teens when they use the Internet, educate them about Web ethics and warn them of Internet threats. In order to do that parents should be involved in their kids’ online activities. A great way for parents to get involved is to offer their kids suitable, interesting and safe websites. The problem is that parents are usually not familiar with websites that are relevant for these age groups.

There are sites that offer listings of safe websites for kids. Parents can use these sites in order to get familiar with interesting safe websites and direct their kids to them.

A few examples:

• SafeWeb Directory
  SafeWeb directory is a free resource for parents who are looking for kid-friendly internet sites. The directory is human-edited and spam free. Searchable by subject and age group.
• KidSites
  Children’s sites by category.
• ALA – Great Web Sites for Kids
  This site is a directory of interesting websites for kids offered by the American Library Association.

For more Information on Internet parental control you can see-
Internet Parental Control.

Virtual worlds have become a growing power in kids’ online activities. In 2008, an estimated eight million US children and teens visited virtual worlds on a regular basis. It is estimated that by 2013 this number will be doubled. Virtual worlds are a relatively new phenomenon, so there isn’t much research on their impact on kids. As parents, we ask: Is it safe? Is it educational? Do our children benefit from this activity? In lack of long-term research the best answer seems to be that like every other activity we choose to do, when it is measured and in balance with other activities, it can be enjoyable, harmless and sometimes even educational. It is our responsibility as parents to direct our children to safe constructive activities that will help them to grow as people and become contributing citizens. The same thing is true for choosing online activities for them and specifically for virtual worlds. As parents we have to make sure that our children visit virtual worlds that are suited for their age and are safe for them. We also want to direct our children to virtual worlds that offer quality content and educational value.

What is a virtual world?

Virtual worlds are services which offer Internet users a computer simulated environment imitating the real world. In the virtual world the user interacts by using an avatar (a two-dimensional or a three-dimensional computer graphic identity, which represent a user’s alter ego or the user’s real persona) in online chats.

Virtual worlds are divided into two main types:

Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) –
These virtual worlds use point systems and competition in the simulation. They have winners and losers. Commercial MMOGs include Everquest and World of Warcraft.

Non-game worlds -
These virtual worlds are less game-like, or not games at all. They are more like social networking services like MySpace and Facebook, but with 3D simulation features. For example, Second Life, ActiveWorlds and The Sims Online.

What are the risks for kids in virtual worlds?

• Children and teenagers can easily get absorbed in a virtual world. It is an enjoyable pastime allowing them to try different points of view and avatars. The danger is when a child is invested more in the virtual life than in real life. This may result in withdrawal from real life activities, poor social skills, loss of ability to distinguish between the real and the imaginary, etc. It is important to limit the time a child or teenager spends surfing virtual worlds in order to keep the child’s base in the real world.
• Private information may be exposed in virtual worlds when a child is persuaded to give up his/her real identity to strangers. It is important to emphasize to the child not to give away private information under any circumstances.
• Sometimes virtual worlds especially ones that are intended for teens can become violent environments. Many virtual worlds have guardians – adults that have avatars in the game and are there to keep the peace. These guardians can not always stop violent behavior. It is important for parents of teens to be involved in their children’s online activities and to instruct them how to behave in problematic situations.
• Online predators sometimes use social network services and virtual worlds to target potential victims. They pose as children and gradually seduce them into an online relationship. This relationship might end in sexual abuse. You can read more on online predators on this post – How to protect your children from online predators.
  The chance of your child being targeted by online predator is low, but since such an encounter has severe consequences, parents should be aware and make sure that their kids don’t get involved in online relationships with strangers.
• All of these risks are worrying, but it seems that the greatest risk in virtual worlds for kids is the inherently commercial nature of many virtual worlds. Kids are encouraged to buy clothes, toys, food, books and more for their avatars using the virtual world currency. In some worlds they have to play games in order to earn “money”, in some they buy the virtual world currency with real money. You can see in many virtual worlds, avatars that are dressed in high fashion clothing and have expensive cars and homes. Many virtual worlds have a strong correlation between consumption and citizenship. Kids are learning that in order to be a good citizen they have to buy the right stuff. Many virtual worlds also have a lot of advertisement.
  In order to avoid this commercial nature, parents should direct their children to non-commercial virtual worlds that usually have more educational value.

What are the Benefits of Virtual Worlds for Children?

In virtual worlds kids are involved in informal learning. By trying different avatars, points of view and jobs they play out scenarios over and over from different angles. They can see what approach is best for them. They learn how to socialize, how to be Internet savvy, how to buy and sell online and how to be members of a society. They learn skills that they’ll need in the future workforce.

Matching the Virtual World to the Child’s Age

When choosing a virtual world for your kids or checking the ones your kids use, it is important to keep the age factor in mind.
Today children surf in virtual worlds from the age of three (usually with adult help) to 18. It is important to see that the virtual world they enter is safe for their age and offers appropriate content.

There are three major age groups:

1. Young children – age 3-10.
   Kids in this age group are just starting to discover the cyber world. They often need help from an adult in order to surf. It is not recommended to let children at this age surf without adult supervision. It is important to make sure that the virtual worlds the child surfs are safe, enclosed environments. There should be no advertisement (or very little). Online chats and forums, if such exist, should be limited and monitored.
2. Tweens or juniors – age 10-14. Tweens are kids who are stuck in this phase between being young kids and being teens. Children at this age range usually have good technological and language abilities that allow them to surf freely. On the other hand, they lack the maturity and experience to help them understand the content that they encounter when surfing—they need adult guidance.
   They are a vulnerable population. Their high technological abilities and desire to socialize exposes them to risks, as well as their PC and private family information.
   Tweens will usually look for more complex virtual worlds that will allow them to chat with their friends freely. It is important for parents of tweens to be involved as much as they can in their kids’ online activities. Parents should direct their tweens to virtual worlds they find suited for them. Guidelines for Internet use should be defined. These guidelines should emphasize Web ethics and privacy protection. Include the child when defining the guidelines in order to make the child more committed to them. An Internet-use policy may help in making those guidelines clear. Parents should talk to their kids about Internet threats, such as: malware attacks, online predators, harassments, and give them examples of immediate solutions, for example: turning off the PC and notifying a parent. Most important is to give your children confidence about approaching the adults in the family in case they encounter suspicious behavior when surfing.
3. Teenagers – age 14-18. Teens have fully developed technological and language skills. They are confident surfing the Internet (sometimes more than their parents). The Internet becomes a strong social and educational tool in their life. Teens are usually more aware of the risks that exist on the web. On the other hand, in this age group there is a tendency for risk taking. In addition, teens usually use a PC in the privacy of their own room, or they go to places that allow them to surf without supervision. So it is nearly impossible to monitor the teenager’s Internet activities.
   Teens will usually be attracted to adult virtual worlds. Adult virtual worlds are not always suited for teenagers. In some you can encounter cybersex activity and violence. It is important for parents of teens to keep being involved in their kids’ online activities. Offering teens appropriate websites that may interest them could be a great solution. There are virtual worlds for teens that offer great content and are non-commercial. Parents should also emphasize Web ethics to their teenagers and warn them about Internet threats.

In order to find a suitable virtual world for your kids you can check out – SafeWeb – Virtual Worlds section. This is a web directory that offers safe websites for kids.