"Parent Guide"
What can parents do to protect their children?
Keep a healthy relationship with your
children. The lines of communication should remain open. If they run into a
website that they feel is inappropriate they need to feel like they can tell
someone. Talk to your children about the dangers of the internet. They need to
know that sometimes there will be inappropriate material. Don't sugarcoat
the reality of internet predators.
Keep your cool. Encourage your children to
confide in you. Discuss the importance of telling a trusted adult if something
or someone makes he/she feel scared, uncomfortable or confused while
online.
Be informed. Learn everything you can!
Keep up with the new chat lingo. For more information on chat acronyms go to the
following website:
Use technology as a way to reinforce family
values. Post rules for computer and internet use close to the family
computer. Establish consequences if rules are broken.
Keep your child's password. Tell your
children not to give out their passwords. Family computers should be password
protected so the child cannot use it. Parents should control when to get on the
computer, for how long, and which sites are allowed.
If you think your child is trying to hide
where they are going from you, look for the clues.
- Is the task bar hidden?
- Has their sleeping habits changed?
- Does the child block the view of the
computer monitor?
- Is the computer's internet history being
deleted?
Establish a rule that children do not have
privacy. They have only one right as a family member and that is to be safe.
Establish a parent network. If your child
is going to their friends house and using their computer, make sure to establish
your rules and expectations with the other parents.
Install safeguards. Download monitoring or
filtering software to your computer. Free software can be found on the following
sites:
Do not leave webcams plugged into your
computer. If you are not using it, unplug it. Some hackers have been known
to access and control webcams.
Don't say "NO!" you can't have a social
networking space, instead say "Let's create one together."
When creating a profile on a social networking
site like "My Space" or "eSpin" make sure to read all privacy statements and
user agreement policies. Look for support numbers and email information to
report abuse. Check to see if there is any cost associated with your account.
Know who your "friends" are before you allow them onto your site. Here are a few
"safe" social networking sites:
Where to report sexual solicitations or
internet abuse:
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