Which Websites Should a Parent Block, Based on a Child's Age?

Anyone old enough to hold a phone or tablet can access and browse the Internet. Within seconds, millions of pages are available. With that access, there are questionable users and explicit material within easy reach -- whether accessed intentionally or accidentally.

Reality is that kids, tweens, and teens use technology daily. However, different age groups will surf the Internet for various reasons. To protect a child's browsing activity most effectively, the list of recommendations shown below are intended to be used for filtering website content and are based on a child's age.

If you have a parental controls software solution, such as Net Nanny, K9, SafeEyes, or Ranger, you can control which types of website categories are blocked or allowed. These suggestions below are based on years of experience and customer feedback.

Recommendations

Ages 18 or older: This age group is experienced with the Internet and needs few restrictions. However, reminders and warnings are appropriate.

Block: pornography and proxy websites.

Ages 13 to 17: Teens know which websites to avoid and are typically more tech savvy than adults. Guidance and safety measures should be applied to protect them from online strangers and other dangers.

Block: alcohol, drugs, gambling, mature, nudity, pornography, proxy, and tobacco.

Ages 8 to 12: Preteens are familiar with how the Internet works but may be naïve to the threats of open web surfing and socializing.

Block: abortion, alcohol, death/gore, drugs, gambling, mature, nudity, pornography, provocative, proxy, suicide, tobacco, and weapons.

Ages 4 to 7: As with any new user, young children are unaware of any dangers on the Internet. Young children should be supervised and have strict Internet safety settings.

Block: abortion, alcohol, anime, dating, death/gore, drugs, gambling, lingerie, swimsuits, mature, nudity, pornography, profanity, provocative, proxy, sexual health, suicide, tobacco, and weapons.

By instituting webpage content filtering, you will protect your child. Many times, exposure to inappropriate websites is accidental. Don't let your child stumble upon hard-core images or risk the potential backlash.

Note: This article and the opinions expressed here are from Russ Warner, Internet safety expert and CEO of ContentWatch, makers of parental control software Net Nanny.

Follow Russ Warner on Google+.