The Internet has provided some wonderful opportunities for our children. Never before have they had access to such a powerful tool for conducting school research, learning about new things, finding new recreation and entertainment, and communicating with their friends both around the corner and around the globe.
However, children are uniquely at risk online, and for them, surfing the Internet can sometimes be like walking down a dark street all alone.
Remember that personal computers and online services should not be used as electronic babysitters.
As a parent, you’ve probably thought at some point that your children know more about the Internet than you do. And to a degree, you’re right. Growing up with the technology, children sometimes adapt to the Internet much more rapidly than adults. But having experience with the computer and the Internet is not the same thing as having experience in life. Children are all the more threatened online because they often lack understanding of the motives and intentions of others, and do not realize the danger in which they may place themselves and their families by giving away personal information about themselves.
Children have a rich private life away from adults, and in some ways that can be a good thing. But the key to protecting your child online is to stay involved in their use of the Internet, and to be aware of their online activities. Children need to be granted some responsibility in order to develop, and the Internet is no exception. But just as you wouldn’t send your children into a strange city all by themselves, you shouldn’t leave them online without parental guidance. Encourage your children to tell you about any online experience that scares or upsets them.
There are a few risks for children who use online services. Teenagers are particulary at risk because they often use the computer unsupervised and becuase they are more likely than younger children to participate in online discussions regarding companionship, relationships, or sexual activity. Some risks are:
Exposure to Inappropriate Material One risk is that a child may be exposed to inappropriate material of a sexual or violent nature.
Physical Molestation Another risk is that, while online, an child might provide information or arrange and encounter that could risk his or her safety or the safety of other family members. In a few cases, pedophiles have used online services and bulletin boards to gain a c hild's confidence and then arrange a face-to-face meeting.
Harassment A third risk is that child might encounter E-mail or bulletin board messages that are harassing, demanding, or belligerent.
So as parents what can we do to keep our children safe.The following are some suggestions of things you can do to help protect your children online.
Keep the computer in a room other than the child’s bedroom, so you can monitor what your child is doing, and for how long.
Set up an agreement and guidelines with your child about the use of the computer, including appropriate schedules and durations.
Understand the services that your child uses online. If you do not understand them, have your child teach you about them.
Investigate blocking and screening services offered by your ISP or by other web sites or software providers.
Spend time online with your child so that you can set a good example for online behavior.
Never respond to threatening or offensive messages, and encourage your child to do the same.
Encourage your child never to give out any personal information.
When discussing your child’s day, be sure and ask about time spent online.
Remind your children never to meet anyone they have met online without your permission and without your presence.
Make sure to learn about everyone your child meets online, and discuss these relationships with your child.
Now I know that in todays society some of these tips may be unrealistic, our children may not take to kindly to having their computers taken from their rooms and if we question them about their online activities then you're just as likely to get told to "go away and mind your own business!", or words to that effect.
However, there are, generally, warning signs that you can look for. Read through the list of warning signs below and if young Johnny or Jane is displaying any of them then you may have a problem on your hands.
Your child spends large amounts of time online, especially at night.
You find pornography on your child’s computer.
Your child is receiving phone calls from people you don’t know, or is making phone calls, sometimes long distance, to numbers you do not recognize.
Your child receives mail, gifts, or packages from people you do not know.
Your child turns the computer monitor off or quickly changes the screen on the monitor when you come into the room.
Your child becomes withdrawn from the family.
Your child is using
an online account belonging to someone else.
Do not give out personal information such as address, telephone number, parents’ work address or work telephone number, or the name and location of your school without your parents’ permission.
If you ever encounter something online that you don’t understand or that makes you uncomfortable, tell a parent or teacher right away.
Never get together with someone you met online without getting your parents’ permission first. If a meeting is decided, be sure that it is in a public place and that you bring one or both parents along.
Do not send any picture of yourself to anyone without getting your parents’ permission first.
Do not respond to any messages that make you feel uncomfortable. It is not your fault if you get a message like that, and it is okay to tell your parents no matter what it is.
Follow the rules that your parents set for computer and Internet use. Always make sure it is okay to go online before you do so.
Remember that people may not always be who they say they are.
If you have cause for concern about your children's online activities, talk to them. Also seek out the advice and counsel of other computer users in your area and become familiar with literature on these systems. Open communication with your children, utilization of such computer resources, and getting online yourself will help you obtain the full benefits of these systems and alert you to any potential problem that may occur with their use.
Use the links below to find the resources to keep your family safe.
Basic Privacy Protection Tips For personal use it is best to always assume the worst and use an alias that contains no personally identifying information.
Kidscom Internet Safety Game Play Smart, Stay Safe and Have Fun while you're on the Internet.
SurferBeware.com Internet safety, protecting online privacy, virus prevention, web security and e-mail tips.
Internet Dating Tips Read these precautions for starting a relationship over the Web. Find safety issues and tips for avoiding problematic situations.
Kids Internet Safety Professor Pixel gives tips to kids on "how to be net-safe."
Selecting Filtering Software For Your Family Selecting the right kind of filtering or blocking software for your family can be difficult. The software requirement for an eight-year-old will be different than software for an older teen that is adventurous.
Online E-ssentials Consumer guide to internet safety, privacy and security
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