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A Parent's Guide to CyberSafe Kids
The Internet can be a fun and exciting place filled with learning tools and resources for your child to explore. Children who have access to online services, whether in or outside the home, enjoy learning about a wide variety of topics, communicating with friends and family by e-mail, chatting with other computer users, and surfing the Web.
However, although the Internet offers many positive things, there are times when surfing the Net can also be dangerous. Unless you take adequate precautions, your child might encounter material you find objectionable.
However, although the Internet offers many positive things, there are times when surfing the Net can also be dangerous. Unless you take adequate precautions, your child might encounter material you find objectionable.
Rules of the Road
Just as you wouldn’t send your children near a busy road without some safety rules, you shouldn’t send them to the information superhighway without the rules of the road.What To Do First
- Set up a master account in your name and do not give your child the password. Many services allow you to create separate screen names for children, allowing you to block access to inappropriate areas.
- Place the computer in a room where the whole family usually gathers together, such as the family or living room. This will make it easier for you to keep an eye on your child’s Internet activities. Make it clear that if you cannot see what they are doing online, then they cannot do it.
- Discuss with your child ways to handle certain situations ahead of time. For example, discuss what to do if someone sends them a message over the Internet that scares or threatens them or makes them feel uncomfortable.
- Consider using blocking software. Many of these products will allow you to control your children’s access to certain areas on the Internet.
Basic Safety Guidelines
- Be careful and responsible.
- Never give out his or her name, address, phone number, or school name to anyone online without explicit parental permission.
- Never send a picture of themselves or another family member to anyone online without explicit parental permission.
- Never arrange to meet another computer user face-to-face, or speak on the phone with one, without explicit parental permission.
- Never respond to messages that are obscene, threatening, or make them feel uncomfortable in any way.
- Tell you or another trusted adult if they encounter anything on the Internet that makes them uncomfortable.
- Never enter an area that charges for services without receiving explicit parental permission.
- Remember that people online may not be who they seem to be.
- Follow these rules even when at school or at a friend’s house. Children have access to the Internet in many places, but they should know that the same rules apply no matter where they are.
Safety Products
Many parents have found that blocking software is an effective way to protect their children from harmful or inappropriate material on the Internet. Different products offer various levels of parental input or control, so it is important to investigate each one carefully in order to choose the product that is best for you and your family. To find software you can load onto your computer, contact your Internet access provider or search on the Internet using such keywords as “protective software” or “blocking software.”Even with blocking software, it is possible that your child might come across something you feel is inappropriate. Talk to your children about issues that concern you such as exploitation, pornography, hate literature, or excessive violence so that they know how to respond when they encounter such things both on line and in the real world.
However, remember that the best tools children have for screening material found online are the values you teach them.
Using the Internet
- Establish a clear set of rules and guidelines for computer use by your children and post them near the computer.
- Make Internet surfing a family activity and get involved in your children’s Internet activities.
- Help your child fine healthy, positive websites and bookmark them on the computer.
- Speak openly with your children and encourage them to come to you if they encounter anything that makes them uncomfortable in any way. Encourage them to trust their instincts regarding bothersome material.
- If your child encounters threatening or obscene material on the Internet, report it to the sender’s Internet service provider immediately.