Some Basic Rules to Keep Your Child Safe Online
By AJ Howell
Your child probably should spend all their time on the computer and try to socialize in the community as well.
Make sure your child uses the computer in a public area of the house like the living room. If your child doesn’t have private access to the computer their chances of exploring sites they know they shouldn’t be on will be less.
Make sure you learn enough about computers to understand what your child is doing.
Involve your self in your kids online activities and educate them about the dangers on the internet.
Never allow them to meet an online person in real life unless you approve of the meeting. My personal suggestion is if it has anything to do with dating, just don’t do it. There are to many predators out there to take a chance.
Take note of the sites your kids frequent and keep tabs. Visit those sites occasionally and see what kind of conversations are taking place. Sign up for your own account if you have to and involve yourself. You don’t necessarily have to let your child know you are doing this. Remember, if they know you are there, their behavior may change around you. You are not spying, just being protective.
Make sure your kids know it is ok to come to you if they have a problem or an issue online. Don’t over react to a situation online and teach your child how to handle the situation. You want them to remain comfortable to come to you when “things” happen.
In my experience, chat rooms or IRC are trouble for kids. This is where most predators hang out pretending to be something other than what they are. There is plenty of online activities with out having to use these, unless you yourself know the chat room or the people. Keep them away. There are also some really good online communities you could research yourself before allowing your child to be involved.
Constantly talk to your child about what they are doing online and like I said before, involve yourself in the websites or social sites they are participating in.
Make some rules as to what your kids can and can’t do online and make them adhere to them.
GOOGLE. Google is a powerful tool. Google your child’s name every once in a while. Google will give you information on what your child has been doing online and where they have been.
Visit internetsuperheroes.org to learn more about Googleing your kids.
Teach them about what kind of information is appropriate to share online. One thing I have noticed with my kids is they are not trying to give away information but they are somewhat nieve about things. They get pop ups or prompts for information and would just put it in if I wasn’t monitoring their activity.
Warn them that they can not trust what people tell them online. My kids are over trusting and would be apt to believe what people say. Let them know that sometimes people online are not honest and they need to be skeptical.
One more time, like I said, if they feel they met someone online that they “like” in a romantic way. Just don’t. This is one thing I don’t agree with. If it is an absolute must, then go with them to meet this person and determine for yourself if it is OK. I would not let my children meet with anyone they met on the internet but not all people take the same stance I do. So if they have convinced you to meet them. Then go with them.
For more help with online safety visit: http://parentsonline.ning.com
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