Common Sense Approach to Protecting Your Kids on the Internet
By Sandy Rajsic

The world is a different place for children today than when we were kids. As a parent, I am terrified by what I hear on the news. Maybe I just grew up in a sheltered environment. I think that every parent's hope is to shelter their children enough to protect them, but to also give them the freedom to grow up in this ever changing world. But sometimes, our children are more familiar with the environment than we are. I'm talking about the Internet.

I have been on the Internet for years. I have been spammed with a number of e-mails that I would consider pornography. I have always just deleted them and went on with my business. I know that the problem is there. I just don't let it affect me. However, I have seen a lot more news stories about child pornography and online predators. As a parent, I now realize that the problem does affect me.

But what can I do? I can't make it stop. If I could, I would have stopped the e-mails to my account. But when I look at my little girl, I know that I can't use any excuses. So, I have made up my mind to fight. If I can't stop it from coming, I most certainly can fight to make sure that my children don't get it.