Internet Safety

INTERNET SAFETY

Just a few short years ago parents had one less source of potential danger to their children to worry about. Now parents have to add the Internet to their list of safety concerns. Fortunately there is informational as well as technical support to enhance the safety of the Internet for children.

Lawrence J. Magid has many suggestions for parents on www.safekids.com. He suggests that keeping your children safe when they access the Internet requires the same type of good parenting that works in other areas. Ultimately, your child's safety will depend on the mutual trust and respect that you have developed over the years, combined with the thoughtful guidance and supervision all children require. When parents and children sit down and talk and agree about what is safe and what is appropriate, children are more likely to stay within the guidelines. As in other situations, however, children need adult support and supervision to stay safe. For example, Magid says that, "it's generally a bad idea to let kids access the Internet from their bedroom." He suggests that computers connected to the Internet be in a family room where parents wander in and out periodically.

Some basic rules for child safety on the Internet:

never give out your name, phone number or address
never send out a picture or anything else without checking with your parents
agree to tell your parents if you come across information that makes you feel uncomfortable
agree not to respond to messages that are mean or in any way make you feel uncomfortable
agree to be a good online citizen--do not hurt anyone or break any law
never agree to get together with someone you "meet" online without first checking with your parents
if your parents agree to the meeting, it should be in a public place and in a parent's presence