Dear Parent,
So how do we keep the Internet from becoming a negative influence in our children’s lives?
We start by directing them to safe places on the Web and educating them on how to steer clear of the negative ones. It is essential to teach our children online safety measures. We can also monitor their Internet usage and set limits of time our children are allowed to spend online—much the same way we limit television viewing.
Kids who get into danger online are almost always the ones whose parents have not taken an active role in their online activity. The good news is that you as a parent can do a lot to keep your kids safe by making them “cyber-smart.” Start by teaching them the Kid Safety Tips below.
1. Never give your picture, last name, home address, telephone number, or school name to anyone without your parent’s permission.
2. Never give your password to anyone, not even your best friend!
3. Don’t accept things from strangers, such as e-mail, files, pictures, or website addresses.
4. Do not go into private chat rooms or instant message with strangers.
5. Never agree to meet someone in person that you’ve met online without asking your parent’s permission.
6. Always tell a parent about any threatening or bad language you see online or anything that makes you feel afraid or funny.
7. Stay away from ALL chat rooms unless you and your parent are sure they are monitored by trustworthy adults.
8. Always follow your family’s rules and directions for using the Internet.
As a parent you also need to be aware of online dangers such as cyber-bullying, which is a term that refers to bullying or harassment through things like e-mail, instant messaging, and blogs. It is illegal and should be reported to the authorities when it happens. It also can have devastating effects on your child’s self-esteem.
There is also the danger of an online predator—someone who uses the Internet to prey on innocent children. This is why it is important that your child never give their personal information out online or agree to meet a stranger.
Pornography is also another danger your kids can easily fall prey to while online. Statistics say about 80% of kids have encountered pornography online while doing their homework. You can see why having an Internet filtering software program on your computer is so important. It will prevent your kids from stumbling on inappropriate Web sites.
For more information on Internet safety measures and Internet filtering software reviews, check out the Safefamilies.org website.
