The internet is a valuable source of information for your children to use in their studies. It is also filled with dangers that must be avoided.
You can find pornography, internet sexual predators, pedophiles, cyber-bullies, con artists, hackers etc... all over the internet landscape.
With that in mind what can we do to help protect our kids from internet dangers? What advice can we give them? What rules should we lay down? How do we educate them on how to stay safe when on the internet?
Here is some advice you can use &/or offer your children:
*1. Never use your real name on the internet, especially in chat rooms or forums. There is no reason to give out that information and it is very dangerous to do so. Instead use a screen name. It can actually be fun to come up with a unique and interesting name to use.
*2. Never give out any personal information such as your name (see #1), the names of friends or relatives, your address, phone number, school you attend, places you hang out at, credit card numbers, internet passwords etc... Any of this information that you provide can create safety issues.
*3. Never post, email, or mail your picture or those of relatives, friends, your school, house, neighborhood, etc... that can be used by a person looking to identify you and or locate you. Just like your screen name, you can post some pretty fun images as your profile image without using your photo.
*4. If you ever get an email or message on the internet that seems threatening, intimidating, too personal or just makes you feel uncomfortable, immediately save it and notify your parents so that they can take action to prevent anything from happening.
*5. Absolutely never agree to meet anyone offline that you meet online. This is about as serious a danger as you can come across. Never agree to meet any online acquaintance at a specified location. If you are pressured to do so, or asked repeatedly, inform your parents immediately!
*6. Stay away from private chat rooms where you can be inappropriately pressured or solicited by a stranger. Stay in a public chat room or forum where others are present. Never use web cams!
*7. Instant massages are popular but can open your computer to hackers. I would never use one of these services myself and certainly would never allow one of my children to use one.
*8. Keep your child's computer in a family area, not behind closed doors or in their bedrooms. It will make it easier for you to monitor their activity.
*9. Limit the time your child uses the computer. If they know they only have a certain amount of time to accomplish their goals then they will be less likely to aimlessly surf the net and come across security risks or inappropriate content.
*10. Never respond to a threatening email or message. Notify your parents immediately and let them handle it with the service provider and authorities.
*11. Have your children ask permission before they go onto the internet. This is important as it makes them aware you know they are online and gives you a heads-up to be alert to their activity.
If you enforce these "Top Eleven Internet Safety Rules & Tips for Teenagers & Children" will go a long way to help insure their safety online.
I urge you to read my detailed report: Cyber-Bullying Suicides
It provides valuable information on internet safety for teenagers & children.
