tomgrom.com disclaimer

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Unfortunately disclaimers don't cover everything, aren't always present, and can't take the place of common sense as we surf the Web.

While this page is my attempt to cover everything I can think of, what I don't know or may have forgotten is like an ocean in which the things I do know and can remember are contained within but a drop.

Safer Surfing

Several resources and tools are available to help parents keep control of the content their children access online instead of using a third-party filtering service.

Factors to consider include age, maturity, behavioral history, and academic needs. Engaging in a regular dialogue can be one of the most powerful tools of all. Work together, ask questions, express concerns ... and listen to answers.

BumperCar
This OS X web browser for children controls web access by creating custom whitelists, blocking profanity, requiring Safesearch, and more. I think this method is much better than using filtering services with potentially hidden objectives.

Internet Content Rating Association
A voluntary system of web ratings, similar to ones used in television and movies. They help parents and individuals make informed decisions about the types of materials they wish to access online.

Safe Surfing Tips for Teens
I particularly like this approach, presented by the Nemours Foundation. Without resorting to scare tactics, they briefly and clearly lay out simple tips for keeping personal information private, dealing with cyberbullying, and even handling spam.

NetSmartz
An impressively comprehensive site, featuring a huge amount of information, videos, and activities. Provided for children aged 5 to 17 by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Disclaimer

Some of the content on this site is original, and some of it originates from other sources. I have tried my best to indicate sources whenever they are available. All blog entries are written by me, for example, whereas all entries in the Reading Room are from external sources (and are clearly labeled as such).

Original Site Content

Although some of the content I provide on this site is factual, much of it is based on my own point of view. The opinions expressed on this site are mine alone. They're based on the information I've gathered, the experiences I've had, and any personal biases I possess (both recognized and unrecognized). They are not meant to represent any other individual or group, and you may not find them suitable.

Seek out alternative viewpoints to mine, if possible, so that you can make your own informed decisions about the topics discussed. Look for more comprehensive resources to gain a better understanding. There may be something I've missed or mistaken. Above all, don't automatically take my word for it ... or anyone else's. (But you know that, I'm sure.) What works for me might not for you, and it's important to make up our own minds, right?

I never wish to offend my visitors. If you find any content on this site objectionable, I hope you'll consider letting me know, and that you'll accept my apologies. Of course, there are lots of alternatives to this site online. Many of them will offer better choices for you.

External Links, Articles, and Feeds

External web pages (linked from Reading Room articles, blog entries, or on other pages or services on this site) are carefully examined for objectionable content before being included on tomgrom.com. At the time they are posted, no external web pages on this site contain content that I consider inappropriate in terms of language or subject.

In some cases, however, other pages on the web sites I link to or other feed entries from the sources I use may contain material that I would consider objectionable. Some of the sources I use occasionally publish content that contains foul language, although I will not link to such content on this site. These sites may also contain their own links to sites that publish undesirable content. In time, even pages linked on this site may have changed content, including the addition of comments to an otherwise unmodified page.

If you find content contained within an external link from this site to be objectionable, please let me know.

Removal of Content

Everything I blog about, choose as a Reading Room article, or include elsewhere on this site is either publicly available online, or I have been given explicit permission to use it here. In addition, I try my best to give full credit, including links back to all original sources.

If I feature any of your content on this site and you would like it to be removed, I will be happy to do so. Please contact me.