Online safety is a topic that I have spent considerable time discussing with children. As you know, the Internet can be a wonderful place to find information, purchase items, view videos, download music, chat with friends, etc., but we must take an active role in protecting children from its dangers. We have discussed such topics as emailing, instant messaging, chat rooms, and keeping safe while using online resources.
Parents often ask how they can keep their children safe online. Here are some suggestions:
- Make sure you have installed filtering software that can help to block inappropriate websites.
➢ This website offers suggestions:
Top Ten Reviews of Internet Filtering Software: http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com/
- Talk openly to your children and set rules for using the computer. It’s a good idea to set up a family Internet contract or some online rules for you to go over with your children and then sign it together. Examples can be found on these sites:
➢ Kids’ Rules for Online Safety: http://www.safekids.com/kidsrules.htm
➢ Online Safety: http://www.fema.gov/kids/on_safety.htm
➢ Family Contracts: http://www.microsoft.com/protect/family/guidelines/contract.mspx
➢ Cyber Safety: http://www.cybersafety.us/step1.html
- These sites offer suggestions to help you protect your children while they are online:
➢ Ten Tips for Online Safety: http://www.nettrekker.com/home/hometopten.html
➢ Online Safety Tips: http://www.microsoft.com/protect/family/age/upto10.mspx
➢ Wired Safety: http://www.wiredsafety.org/
➢ Safe Kids: http://safekids.com/
➢ FBI’s Internet Safety Tips: http://www.fbi.gov/kids/k5th/safety2.htm
- This site offers a great deal of information including some safe sites for kids:
Get Net Wise: http://kids.getnetwise.org/
- The following site contains short video clips to make children aware of online dangers and how they can keep safe.
➢ NetSmartzKids: http://www.netsmartzkids.org/uyn/index.htm
Most important is to have open and honest communication with your children. Make this a priority. Take an interest in what they are doing when on the computer and make sure to sit together and discuss the rules of keeping safe.
