WHAT IS BLOCKING?
Blocking may refer to a few things:
- Blocking a website - preventing your web browser from opening web pages from a specified URL
- See Content Filters
- Blocking images - preventing images from showing up in a web browser
- Blocking Flash - preventing Flash plugins from running automatically
- Disabling JavaScript
- Blocking a contact - Preventing unwanted people or groups from communicating with you.
Blocking a website is accomplished differently depending on the web browser you use. Using Firefox, you can block URLs with the BlockSite add-on. You can also add parental controls with the FoxFilter add-on.
Today, contacts can be blocked from communicating with you in most Internet applications. Gmail has built-in mechanism for accomplishing this, as does almost every other email, instant messaging, or social networking service. Blocking means different things depending on the service. For instance, on Facebook if you block someone, then that person cannot see that you are online, talk to you, or view your information. On Twitter, however, blocking someone only prevents them from following you, sending you a message, or adding you to a list. It does not necessarily prevent them from viewing your information.
CONCERNS FOR PARENTS
Some people will block others as a means of cyberbullying. Children can easily feel isolated when many of their classmates or peers block them.
HOW CAN I KEEP MY CHILD SAFE?
- Blocking can be a great tool if used properly. People can block online predators.
- Parents can block whole websites so that their children cannot view dangerous websites by using a content filter.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?
To learn how to block a contact in Gmail, click here.
