As requested, this week I have updated a previous article on Internet Security. Some of you have been in contact asking for more information about how you can protect your child while they are online, so you may find this useful.
The Internet is one of the most amazing inventions ever created, it is used the world over and has had an enormous impact on the way we live today. It is a seemingly endless source of information, all of which is available at the click of a button. The Internet is a popular resource for schools, universities, businesses and general users, however, it is has also become popular for less desirable users who use it to deceive and manipulate.
As adults, we are sure to make our children aware of the dangers they may encounter in day-to-day life but are we doing enough to make them aware of the hidden dangers of the Internet?
We know who their friends are at schools, who they hang around with in the various clubs they attend, but do we know anything about the friends they have made online?
Children use the Internet more than adults and as they are growing up with technology, they understandably know how to use computers better than their parents or guardians. This is not an excuse, in order to protect the children in your care you need to know more about the technology they are using, the benefits of using it and more importantly the dangers it presents.
Chat Rooms are the number one arena for danger and are something I avoid at all costs. My one and only experience, which I undertook purely for the purposes of an article review, ended with an inappropriate request, one that was promptly rebuked. As an adult, I am more aware of the dangers out there as I have seen enough to make me cautious, however, children are not as worldly wise and more often than not find themselves in compromising situations.
Your children cannot see the person they are chatting to online, they have no idea whether they are male or female, what age they are, whether they have a criminal record or whether they are capable of corrupting, damaging or hurting them. With this in mind, you need to get involved with your child and watch over then when they are using the Internet.
Here a few simple rules to follow.
1)Keep the computer in a family area
2)Get informed and educated about computers and the Internet
3)Establish rules for online use (See Wendy's Seven Smart Rules – www.webwisekids.com))
4)Don't give out any identifying information online
5)Don't let your children meet online "PALS"
6)Keep the lines of communication open. Always know what your child is doing.
Below is a list of sites to visit where you can learn about Internet safety, so you can help your children avoid the risks they face online:
www.webwisekids.com
www.netsmartz.org
www.getnetwise.org
www.childrenssafetynetwork.org
www.safekids.com/child_safety.htm
www.cyberangels.org
