Cybersecurity and internet safety refer to many practices we employ daily to keep ourselves out of risky territory online. Standard safety measures like strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and spam filters shield us from hackers and data miners. Something more difficult to control is the content we are exposed to online. This is especially important if you have multiple family members of different ages using the same computer. A website appropriate for an older family member may harm someone younger. Using parental controls and programs like Blocksite can help keep everyone in your household safe online.
Standard Safety Measures
According to Youth First, the average age at which one first sees online adult content is eleven. Most parents consider this too young for their child to see adult content. To prevent children from accidentally stumbling on pornography online, parents should make some minor changes to their browsers. Employing parental controls on devices is an excellent place to start. Most devices that connect to the internet can limit screen time, apps used, and more. Ensure you have explored all of the control options on the devices your younger family members use to keep inappropriate content from popping up unexpectedly.
Managing Content Exposure
Completely censoring the content your family is exposed to is nearly impossible, but blocking certain adult content can limit it. Programs like Blocksite are perfect for managing the types of websites accessed on your shared devices. Blocksite is an ideal partner in your quest for online safety. With the program, you can make lists of specific sites you want to block, enter keywords to stop, and even add an entire category of websites that should be blocked. This is a fantastic tool for anyone wondering how to block porn on a device. You can also add if you would like Blocksite to redirect the user to another site when they try to access this content or make a custom Block Page that has a unique message for the user.
Protecting Children from Inappropriate Content
Aside from the danger of children being exposed to inappropriate adult content, most pornography websites are also risks to your cybersecurity. Pop-up ads and scams are a given on sketchy porn sites. Any website asking you to download unverified content automatically risks your data. Viruses and other detrimental software can easily be installed on your computer after you download something from an adult website. Blocking these sites is the best way to put safety first.
Using Parental Controls
In a world where approximately 35% of all internet downloads are related to adult content, according to the National Institutes of Health, blocking pornography and other inappropriate content could be the right move for your family. The internet gives people access to various incredible resources, but the positives come with the negatives. Make sure you are aware of what content the members of your household are engaging with online, and keep your young ones safe by utilizing programs like Blocksite.