As another summer season comes to an end, many parents and children are looking ahead to a new school year. Now is the perfect time for parents to teach or remind children how to stay safe when they are away from home. Whether it is about looking both ways when crossing the street, bicycle safety or stranger danger, now is the perfect time to remind children about the hazards of everyday life. But in today’s digital age, children may face other hazards or dangers.
Children are being introduced to computers and technology at younger and younger ages. Whether at home, the neighborhood library or at school, talking to children about online safety at an early age is critical in keeping them safer online.
Just a few years ago, children connected to the outside world via a single desktop personal computer located in a central location in the home. But in today’s digital era, busy parents and children on-the-go are connected to the Internet 24/7 via netbooks, iPods, smartphones and various handheld devices. Wireless connections and affordable devices now make it possible for children to connect anywhere, anytime.
Internet Dangers and Online Hazards
While technology offers many advantages, online predators, inappropriate content, pornography, sexting and online bullying are serious issues confronting today’s children. Cyberbullying continues to be a worldwide problem that can have deadly consequences.
What is MouseMail?
As technology rapidly changes, many parents feel completely overwhelmed. MouseMail is a simple-to-use, web-based service designed for parents that helps protect young children from the online hazards children face today. Whether it is sexting, vulgar messages, cyber stalking or cyberbullying, the patent-pending early detection system warns parents of inappropriate content and potential online abuse before it reaches the child.
Parents are in the driver’s seat by being able to set up, control and monitor the content and communications. Parents have complete control over all MouseMail features. Parents determine who can and cannot contact the child. If a message is sent from someone not on the approved list, the message is first diverted to the parent for approval.
Sign up is simple. There is nothing to install. Simply visit the website and register. Just one account is needed regardless of how many computers or mobile devices are used in the family.
And unlike spyware programs, children are aware of MouseMail. The service is compatible with both PCs and Macs.
MouseMail Features
The features of MouseMail include:
- Parents can regulate specific time frames when children can and cannot receive text messages and emails, which is particularly useful during school hours. Specific contacts can still send text messages and emails to the child at all times.
- The service provides an ever-growing database of keywords, phrases, abbreviations and symbols commonly used by children. Parents can also add words to the database.
- If a potential threat is detected, the real-time technology automatically alerts parents first.
- Questionable messages are automatically diverted to parents before it is sent to a child.
- A handy help button is available for parents – just push the button and receive instant help.
- Educational and fun games are also available.
A similar service, CoolYou, is available for parents of teenagers. MouseMail, a product of Safe Communications, is designed for busy families on the go. Former U.S. Secretary of Education and current CNN contributor, Dr. William Bennett, serves as Senior Educational Advisor.
While MouseMail offers parental piece of mind, it is not cheap. The service offers three different options with three different price plans ranging in cost from $12.95 to $24.95 per month. Those who sign up for a year’s subscription will receive two free months of service.
While parental control programs are helpful, it is important to remember no program or service is completely fail-safe. Setting rules and establishing guidelines along with open communication about potential online risks, is critical in keeping children safer online.
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway - +JaceShoemaker-Galloway is more than passionate about online safety awareness. She has devoted and dedicated over five years to Internet ...
Join the Conversation