Many internet service providers (ISPs) offer server-based filtering that blocks access to 95-99% of the worst lewd sites. Be aware that there will still be thousands of lewd webpages still accessible despite the best filters. Also be aware that filters may have little or no effect on the direct retrieval of lewd images through photo/ engines. Try to get filtering service that cannot be easily disabled, and that blocks the use of specific keywords in searches. A list of ISPs and other filter options can be found at Filter Review. MStar provides inexpensive exceptional filtering that may work with your current ISP. Integrity Online is another ISP that does an exceptional job of blocking lewd images.
Like the beach or the big city, the internet is no place for children to be alone, no matter what filtering tools you use. Never leave children unattended on the internet. Many parts of the internet are not safe for adults, either.
The web is best used for purposes of business or education, rather than entertainment or relaxation. If you are feeling tense, passionate, or tired, don't get on the web. Do something else instead. Make it a policy that the internet is not a toy.
Since most of the distracting advertising, and much of the harmful content on the internet is in the form of images, and since web browsing is much faster without images, you may want to disable automatic image loading on your browser.
To do so in Internet Explorer 4.x, go to 'View' on the menu, then 'Internet Options', then 'Advanced', then scroll down to the 'Multimedia' section and uncheck 'Show pictures', 'Play animations', and 'Play videos'. Pictures will now no longer appear automatically, but you can cause individual images to appear by clicking with the right mouse button (on PCs) and choosing 'Show Picture'.
On Netscape 4.x, choose 'Edit', 'Preferences', 'Advanced', and uncheck 'Automatically load images'. Pictures will now no longer appear automatically, but you may cause the images on an individual page to appear by selecting 'View' on the menu, then 'Show images'.
Most lewd material is encountered (often accidentally) while using web search engines or webguides. Some major search engines and webguides claim to use filters or list only decent sites. However, we have not found a major search engine or webguide (including so called 'kid-safe' guides) that we believe is sufficiently safe. If you must use a search engine, therefore, we recommend that you follow some or all of our other Better Browsing suggestions, especially Filtered Access. Given that advice, the best general search engine we have seen is Google's Advanced Search Page. Be sure to go to Google's "preferences" and turn the filter 'on'. Google is a fast and neat parallel search engine without a bunch of distracting advertising.
Be aware that filters may have little or no effect on the direct retrieval of lewd images through photo/ engines. Because they make potentially harmful images easily (and even accidentally) accessible, we recommend that you stay away from engines. Copying or printing images you find on the web generally violates the copyright of the owner (who is not necessarily the person who posted the image on the website), anyway.
We also recommend avoiding webguides that have a 'Celebrities' category (may be under 'Entertainment'). This category invariably leads to lewd pictures and interviews, which are not wise viewing for any family member.
If you have found this site useful, please mention it to a friend (familytools.cjb.net).
Return Home