The Basics
How Can I Protect My Child From Internet Dangers?
The key is to monitor your child's Internet activity. Make sure you and your child know what to watch out for on the Web. Remember, because of the anonymity offered by the Internet, people you meet online may not be who they claim to be. Encourage your children never to share personal information about themselves on the Internet. Smart Web Parents can protect their kids by doing the following:
Keep the computer in a family room so that you can monitor their Internet use.
Talk to your children about the dangers of the Internet. Emphasize that dangerous pedophiles use the anonymity offered by the Web to lure child victims. Stress that the rules you set are to protect them, not to control them. Make sure your children understand they need to be careful online. Encourage your children to create screen names and e-mails that do not reveal their personal information (name, age, school, etc.). Children who understand the risks posed by the Internet are more likely to cooperate with their parents in safeguarding their Internet activities.
Be the Parent and Set Rules for Your Children's Online Activities
Tell your children that you have the right to monitor their computer use and that if you suspect there is a problem, you will randomly monitor their Internet activities.
Do not allow your child to have multiple e-mail accounts or create accounts without your knowledge. You may insist that your children give you their e-mail and chat room passwords. Internet accounts and primary screen names should be in your name.
Tell your children to let you know immediately if a stranger tries to contact them on the Web, whether through an Instant Message, chat room, or even an e-mail.
Go online with your kids and find out who they send Instant Messages to and/or chat with. Prohibit the use of private chat
rooms as well as adult-oriented rooms. Make sure you know the identity of everyone on their contact and/or buddy lists. To become more familiar with Instant Messaging, click here.
Make sure your child knows never to divulge personal information on the Internet, including his or her name, age, photos, gender, physical description, telephone number, address, etc. Internet predators look at personal profiles stored on the Internet to find their victims.
The federal government has enacted the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) to protect your child's privacy when he/she registers with certain
Websites.
Set rules as to what sites your children are allowed to visit and which ones they are not. Enforce these rules, and set time limits on their computer use.
Do not allow your children to chat (send Instant Messages) during homework-related computer time.
Become familiar with the Web browser your children use, and restrict the type of content (violence, sex, and language) that can be viewed.