Ok, let’s talk about internet safety for Parents. Kids are learning to use the computer as young as 3 years old. Mine did. Now I have to share my laptop. Anyway, how do you keep your kids safe? First and foremost, Set Limits. Develop a set of clear, simple rules for internet use. Post these near the computer. Then, make sure everyone understands the rules and agrees to abide by them. For younger children, you may want to have a signed safety pledge, (see http://www.safekids.com/contract_kid.htm for an example). Limit the amount of time that the children can be on the internet.
Next, Be Pro Active. Set up a login account specifically for the children. Then set the web browser to use a child friendly search engines such as Yahooligans. (See http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/teaching/kidsearch/kidssearch.htm ). You should also consider using a filtering program to help prevent access to unacceptable sites. (www.internetsafety.com, www.cyberpatrol.com, www.netnanny.com, www.cybersamurai.com are just a few of them.) Internet accounts should be in the parents name with parents having controlling passwords, etc. Make sure your child’s screen name is nondescript so your child’s screen name doesn’t identify him or her as a child. It also should NOT include your child’s name.
Be Aware of what they are doing. Put the computer in a public area of your home, not their bedroom. Make using the internet a family activity. (I like going to www.youtube.com but younger children should not do this by themselves. Have children share with you what they are doing. Learn how to check what sites your children have been visiting. Know who your children are e-mailing. If you suspect online “stalking” or sexual exploitation of your child report it to your local law enforcement agency right away. Don’t let the kids know more about the internet than you.
And finally, just talk to them. There are other computers they may be using without these protections. They need to know that some websites are not appropriate. They should know to NEVER give out personal information. This means to never agreeing to meet someone they’ve met only online, (explain the dangers). If they see something that makes them feel scared or uncomfortable they need to know that they can come to you. And if they receive e-mail that is offensive or dangerous they need to let you know.
And remember, they don’t have to be looking for trouble for trouble to find them. My wife was searching for Sketchers shoes online with our teenage son. They clicked on a link and found themselves on a very graphic foot fetish porn site. She tried shutting the window(s) down, put she kept getting multiple pop ups. She finally just unplugged the computer. They were both embarrassed.
So be pro active, be aware, set some limits, and keep the lines of communication open.
(First published 8/25/09)