Parent workshop covers safe use of technology

Mark Littlefield shared with parents safeguards to protect their children from mature internet content.
by Juanita I.C. Traugbher, communications director

Protecting Children from Pornography, a popular Lower School Parent Education Workshop, returned for the second year Tuesday, Feb. 12 and Wednesday, Feb. 13 with LS Technology Specialist Mark Littlefield helping parents navigate the tricky waters of the online world.
 
Children may be introduced to pornography with friends and even when walking through the grocery store, as adult-oriented magazines can be placed at eye-level of elementary-aged children. And internet users are an average of two to three clicks away from pornography sites, Littlefield said.
 
Viewing pornography can desensitize viewers by raising their thresholds for pleasure. Citing several research studies, Littlefield said it can be linked to lessening brain gray matter — the part of the brain that helps with decision making and self-control — leads to violence and aggression against women, and can induce porn-induced erectile dysfunction.
 
Children will hide pornography from their parents using apps like Calculator+, which appears to be a regular calculator; however, when a password and percent sign are used, hidden photos and videos can be unlocked. They also may rename folders to hide their contents, clear browser history, have secret social media accounts, disable parental controls, or use search for pornography online in other languages.
 
To avoid their children visiting websites parents don’t want them to see, Littlefield advised parents to first have a plan, similar to the birds and bees talk, to address which photos and videos are inappropriate for their children to watch. His other advice included:
 
  • Use internet filters on home computers and smartphones; Littlefield recommends Covenant Eyes, an Internet browser which notifies family members and trusted friends of inappropriate browsing history.
  • Turn on SafeSearch filters in internet browsers.
  • Hide comments as well as disallow recommended videos and autoplay on YouTube.
  • Do not permit children to have social media accounts.
  • Monitor children’s email accounts.
  • Enable pins on Netflix and Hulu to limit which shows and movies children can view.
  • Be wary of online games and gaming systems like Xbox, which can connect children with sexual predators and pornography sites.
  • Do not allow private internet use in bedrooms or even the back of the car.
  • Enable the Screentime feature on iPads.
  • Use Guided Access on iPhones to prevent children from toggling between apps.
  • Use special routers, like Circle and KoalaSafe, to block certain sites or limit internet access to certain times.
He also recommended the following books:
  • “The Porn Myth: Exposing the Reality Behind the Fantasy of Pornography” by Matt Fradd (for parents)
  • “The Story of Me” by Stan Jones & Brenna Jones
  • “Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr.: A Simple Plan to Protect Young Minds” by Kristen A. Jenson (for children ages 3 to 9)
  • “Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids” by Gail Poyner and Kristen A. Jenson (for children ages 8 to 12 and children already exposed to pornography)
For more resources for directions on how to implement parental controls, Visit MrLittlefield.com, click “Tech Help” and “Parental Help with Adult Content.”
 
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