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HIT Solutions Cares About Families
With school well under-way, kids are spending more and more time on the computer; communicating with friends regarding homework, projects, and that ugly skirt Sheila had on the other day. They're doing Internet research for all sorts of projects, checking the school and teacher web sites for information, PLUS occasionally even goofing off on mySpace (MY kid???). How do you know your kids are safe online? How can you be sure that the person your child THINKS she's chatting with isn't really a predator? What will appear on the screen when your child clicks a link to a web site that SOUNDS educational? Below are a few notes and resources we think parents should examine to help keep kids safe online...
- Education: Teach your child the importance of Internet safety. Things such as giving out your address or phone number online; even if you think you're chatting with a friend can be extremely dangerous.
- Respect: Before taking steps to monitor or restrict online activity, explain to your children that you trust them and your interest is in their protection, not in spying. Let them know that it's difficult even for adults to avoid inappropriate material online and you want to keep the entire family safe.
- Protection: In addition to anti-virus and anti-spyware software, run an Internet Content Filter such as NetNanny, CYBERsitter, etc. These programs have a variety of options to fit your filtering, monitoring, and reporting needs. There are also Internet Service Providers that provide this screening automatically.
- Rules: For younger children, consider allowing them online only when you are present. This makes for quality time and learning as a family. Also, if something inappropriate does pop-up, you can quickly close it and explain to the child. For older children, many families do not allow the child to have a PC in his/her room. This eliminates distractions and temptation. Rules regarding time and content are also important, as no software protection is fool-proof.
See the following web sites for additional information that will help keep your child's time online FUN, PRODUCTIVE, and SAFE:
