Tips For Parents With Kids Online
I would no more let my child wander in a busy city alone that I would let him go it alone in cyberspace.
When it comes to letting kids be online I think parents often are not assertive enough, and I also believe, that many parents let their children have too much privacy when it comes to online activities. When I see the search terms used to find my Children & Facebook post, I truly believe that not enough time is spent considering safety practices before children are given access is give to an Internet-enabled computer. Parents sometimes just don’t know what rules and guidelines should be in place, and often they start looking for this type of information when a situation has already occurred. Giving your child Internet access is not like handing over a new book or toy. There are many social and personal safety issues to consider. Parents would do well to set rules and guidelines before any incidents occur. Here are some suggestions and tips that I can offer, based on success in my own home with my own child being online.
RULE #1: Get User IDs and Passwords
When it comes to my child, I put safety concerns above privacy issues. For that reason the first rule of thumb here is that my son must provide me with all usernames and passwords to every online service and community he joins. Requiring usernames and passwords to the online game sites, social Web sites, e-mail and Instant Messaging accounts he has signed up for does not mean I do not respect him. It means I love him and as the parent I need to know he is responsible about what things he chooses to do online. Additionally I also want to make sure unknown adults are not communicating with him online, that adult content is not being spammed to him in instant messaging or e-mail clients, and that he has not mistaken a group or forum for something innocent, when it is not.
READ THE BLOG POST HERE
RULE #2: Keep The Computer Public
Today the focus is on the location of your child’s computer, and how you can limit risk and exposure to your child simply by keeping computer access restricted to public, traffic areas in your home. Basically this means you need to keep Internet connected computers out of your child’s personal space which is their bedroom in most homes. In our home a closed bedroom door indicates a need or want of privacy.
READ THE BLOG POST HERE
