How will children be protected?

[Concerned]

What controls are available for administrators to block inappropriate or malicious content?

[ffm]

The XO doesn't come with content filters because we believe it should be up to the teachers and parents of a child what things they are allowed to access (in other words, it's a cultural/social issue and we didn't want to presume one technological solution would work for everyone).

There aren't any software packages you can download at the moment for easy content filtering on the XO. Most good content filters in this kind of situation are ISP-based rather than installed directly on individual computers; I'd contact your internet provider and ask them what kind of filtering they can do for you.

By the way, the Browse activity doesn't allow pop-ups - it displays them as normal links that you can choose to click on and go to like normal webpages if you want to, but won't automatically show them on your screen.

It's theoretically possible to write a patch for Browse that will block some websites, but no programmers have picked up on it yet (and nobody seems immediately interested in doing so, but if you'd like to do it or find a local coder to implement it, go for it!)

The best solution by far is to have a conversation with the kids about responsible internet browsing. Talk to them about what is and isn't appropriate and why, and work together to set some guidelines for surfing that both of you can agree with. Ultimately, smart kids can find ways around pretty much any filter - if nothing else, by going to a friend's house and using /their/ computers - and they'll have to learn how to use technology responsibly someday, so why not start now?

[gelosialapt]

Mate are you sure there is no filter? Teachers are not as smart as you think and they can't control children's behavior. We have seen this too many times. Personally, I trust "machine" more than teachers to control my children's behavior. (of course if it's beyond my control)

[ffm]

Mate are you sure there is no filter? Teachers are not as smart as you think and they can't control children's behavior. We have seen this too many times. Personally, I trust "machine" more than teachers to control my children's behavior. (of course if it's beyond my control)

No, there isn't one on the laptop. A solution that could be implemented is DansGuardian (google it), but no work has been done AFAIK.

[iamlamtoo]

Mate are you sure there is no filter? Teachers are not as smart as you think and they can't control children's behavior. We have seen this too many times. Personally, I trust "machine" more than teachers to control my children's behavior. (of course if it's beyond my control)

To me, I will trust myself, my child, the teacher and the "machine", in that order. I don't believe in the "filter" approach anyway.
You're right that "teachers are not as smart as you think and they can't control children's behavior". But it is also true that"filters are not as smart as you think and you can't control anyone's behavior". I just distrust the concept of "controlling".
The better approach will be to teaching your children well, i.e. placing the responsibility of deciding what is right or wrong for the children on the parent and children, and not on some "filter" on the machine. The only "filter" I will trust is myself as the parent...

To answer the original question: How will children be protected?
By working with the children, teach them what is the right and what is the wrong content. Until they learn this, it would be wrong (and irresponsible) to unleash them freely on the internet on their own, just like I wouldn't leave my children alone until I am sure that they can take care of themselves and there are no immediate dangers around.
Content filter will only give you a false sense of security.

-Kelvin

[KarenXO]

I've always believed that the best "protection" for a child using technology or anything else is the possibility that a parent, guardian, teacher or other responsible adult just might walk by at any time and see what the child is doing. Censorship based on the judgment of someone outside the child's sphere of influence (in the real world) is not a good solution.

Long term, teach children to discern right from wrong, safe from unsafe, true from false. Granted that takes years, but that is what it means to educate a child.

[Jaywapee]

Hello,

I am no prude, but I concerned about the psychological impact that easy access to Internet pornography has on children. There is an excellent thoughtful radio piece on this problem in the United States entitled "The Internet's Impact on Sex and Society" from On Point Radio from one of our National Public Radio affiliates. You can listen here:
http://www.onpointradio.org/shows/2006/ ... d-society/

I love what OLPC is doing, and unfortunately, I don't see enough serious discussion about this very pervasive problem. There is talk about child pornography surrounding OLPC, but this is different from the bigger problem of child access to adult pornography.

As has been discussed earlier on this forum, children will bypass parental controls very easily since their computer skills will surpass their parent's in no time. This is a common phenomenon even in the U.S., as the radio piece I recomended above also discusses.

Many of the young children with new laptops might only be a click or two away from VERY hardcore and often degraging sexual content. And for many cultures where open sexual talk is taboo, this will be a child's only form of sexual education. There needs to be a more serious exploration of the possibility that this may prevent them from developing a healthy sexuality.

For the well-being of the children, I implore the adults involved in this project to please overcome any discomfort you may have with talking about pornography and sex. Please face this problem head-on and think of some creative solutions to insure their protection, at least during the earlier phases of their childhood. The solution might even be simple and under everyone's noses but might be missed if nobody is looking for it. Just remember that there is always a solution.

Please harness that same noble OLPC impulse that drives you to make the world a better place by resisting the temptation to put your heads in the sand on this issue or pass the buck on to others who cannot truly effectively do anything about this issue (in many cases this might mean parents or local leaders). Your actions are changing the world, please do all you can to ensure that it is positive change on every level, not just on the level of technology, literacy and global access.

Just as an aside, I observed during my trips to parts of the Middle East a few years ago that easy access to Internet porn is pervasive and has a deep impact on the youth culture (of which I was a part at the time in my 20s). I sensed an assumption that Westernization also means pornification, and the thought of their children growing up on this triggers great fear. I'm now convinced that this is a huge (if not the main) unspoken catalyst for the growing fundamentalism in the Middle East.

Good luck and best wishes,
Jean-Pierre
New York

[elizajohn12]

Hi Concerned,
I am John from UK and I think that there no special controls or software are available for administrators to block inappropriate or malicious content.The XO doesn't come with content filters because they believe that it should be up to the teachers and parents of a child what things they are allowed to access.There is no any filter software available that you can download.Most good filters in this kind of situation are ISP-based rather than installed directly on individual computers. You should contact your Internet provider and ask them what kind of filtering they can do for you. But If there is password and user name for any user, it can also work for children. By this way, children will be protected.

[denisecaldwell42]

I have installed net nanny on my computer to prevent kids from opening adult sites. But I still don't know how effective that is. Are there any effective filters that you know of?



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[jsmith091009]

Children are our Nation’s most precious resource, but as children, they often lack the skills to protect themselves. It is our responsibility, as parents and teachers, to safeguard children and to teach them the skills to be safe. This pamphlet is designed to help you talk to your children about how to protect themselves against abduction and exploitation. It is divided into several sections:

WHAT ARE THE RISKS TO YOUR CHILD
facts and figures on child abductions

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR CHILD
tips for discussing child safety

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOUR CHILD
tips for parents to help their children stay safe

WHAT YOUR CHILD CAN DO
the rules for younger children

WHAT YOUR TEEN CAN DO
the rules for older children

WHAT YOUR CHILD CAN DO
at school and at home

WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
numbers to call and information to collect

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN
where to go for more help

Every home and school should teach children about safety and protection measures. As a parent, you should take an active interest in your children and listen to them. Teach your children that they can be assertive in order to protect themselves against abduction and exploitation. And most importantly, make your home a place of trust and support that fulfills your child’s needs. Together we can protect our Nation’s children by teaching them to be smart, strong, and safe.