Homework: getting it done safely

By Graham Jones

You should always be around when your children access the Internet. That’s the constant and essential advice you’ll get from anyone who’s wise to the Internet.

But have you actually tried doing that when your children are tackling their homework? Your lurking presence isn't always welcomed. Besides, it doesn’t help a child’s development if you're ever present. Independence and individuality are put at risk.

For this reason it’s a good idea to allow older children free reign, providing they stick to the household rules for using the Internet. Of course, the worry here is that they will come across sites that you’d rather they didn’t see. Filtering software does help but as children get older they can quickly work out ways around it. Plus the filtering techniques mean that many pages that would be useful for homework are actually banned.

Avoid search engines
Your children are going to end up in all sorts of hot water if they rely on search engines – rather than you – to find suitable websites for their homework. The first problem is that their search terms can lead them to unsavoury sites; the second is that they can spend so long searching and ‘surfing’ they don’t actually get homework done.

The best way for children to find things for homework is to use an information site to point them in the right, safe direction. Encyclopaedia Britannica online is a good starting point - it has a vast array of resources. The material is interactive it’s entertaining as well as educative.

Ideally, make it a rule that all homework starts with the Britannica site; in fact, you can make this your browser ‘home page’. Both Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Communicator let you do this in their ‘options’. Just type in ‘http://www.britannica.com’ in the ‘home page’ box and you’ll always start there.

Articles and features in Britannica are supplemented by links to further information. Although these links take your child away from Britannica, the editors have checked all the recommended websites for suitability. Using these suggestions children will get what they need in a safe, online environment.