The internet is a wonderful tool; gives children access to beneficial and educational information and help research for homework. Especially, if they are heading to college, learning online tools is essential. As you would make safety protections for your children from the real world, there are steps you can take to control their access and behavior on the Internet.
Step 1: Keep the computer in a visible place in the house. Don’t let a child spend time online behind closed doors.
Step 2: Talk with your children about their computer use (and phone messaging), their web browsing, and their internet interaction. Go online with children, ask them to show you the things they like or what they have leaned, send greeting e-cards to family and friends. Teach children “net-etiquette.” Ask children to be sensitive to others’ feelings when writing messages and avoid being rude and mean. Visit chat rooms with children to identify inappropriate communications.
Step 3: Schedule Internet use for children. Limit young grade-schoolers to 30-60 minutes a few times a week; older children may need to access more for school projects.
Step 4: Get involved with your children’s online activities. Go ahead and create your own “MySpace” account. Set a good example; don’t lie about who you are online.
Step 5: Install parental-control software into your home computer. Security software systems products are effective and easy tools to monitor and filter any contents or applications that are inappropriate or harmful to your children from your computer. According to Parental Control Software: Review (Updated January 2008) (http://www.consumersearch.com/parental-control-software), the Safe Eyes, CyberPatrol, and Net Nanny do a great job blocking inappropriate websites and monitoring the time children spend online. If you do use these, tell your children in advance. Explain to them that you do “trust” them, but there are a lot of people out there who may not be trustworthy for anyone online.
