The internet is a fantastic educational tool for teens. It’s a place where children can chat, do research, and have fun.
Unfortunately, with all its advances in technology, the information superhighway has developed a dark side.
According to a recent report released by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, one in five internet users under 17 are approached by sexual predators, harassed or exposed to sexually explicit material while online.
It’s a global problem that’s difficult for law enforcement agencies to control.
Educating your child about internet safety and how to make appropriate choices can prevent a huge headache in the future.
It’s important that you sit down with your child and discuss guidelines for their internet activity.
Some suggested guidelines for internet usage are:
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Never post any identifying information on the internet. This includes name, phone number, address, town in which you live or favorite sports team. Remember, there are many ways to find out who you really are.
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Never post pictures which display a license plate, address, or other identifiable information.
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Never agree to meet in-person an acquaintance you met on the internet. That 13 year old girl you are supposed to meet just might be a 31 year old man!
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Never reply to suspicious email. If you receive email from someone you don’t know, delete it. That’s the safest thing to do.
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Never share your password with someone else. Giving out your password allows someone else to log on to your account.
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Never download files without having a good up-to-date virus program. Virus and spy ware programs can be attached to the downloaded file and then ran on your computer.
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Do not reply to any email or notification requesting personal information. This is usually an attempt to gain personal information and banking or credit card information.
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Always be courteous to others on the internet.
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If you ever feel like you are in danger report it to the authorities, a parents or a teacher.
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If you access a site that contains adult material, close the browser and report it to a parent or teacher.
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And finally, use your head. Hackers are constantly inventing new ways to gain access to personal information.
Remember, being alert and informed about the danger’s children face while online can help keep your children out of harm’s and reduce the risk of exploitation by others.
Keeping your children safe while on the internet is a rising concern. In addition to going over the guidelines listed above, parents are also installing monitoring software on their home computers.
Many monitoring software packages provide parents with reports of incoming and outgoing emails, records of both sides of the conversation in chat rooms, instant messages, and a listing of all web sites visited. Reviewing these reports daily can help relieve
For more information on parental control software, please visit:
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