Protecting your children from online threats and predators takes a proactive come. Fair setting parental controls on your computer and blocking websites is not enough. As a parent you have to control pretty much everything your children view while online. This is includes downloads, chat rooms, gaming, and the use of social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace. If you want to gain some control over what your children are doing while online here are some suggestions you may find helpful.
If the internet was a real, physical place like the mall you would not want your children to go there. The internet can be a scary and dangerous place for children with threats and predators lurking around every corner. The first step you can take in protecting your children while online is to place the computer in a central area in the home such as the living room, den, game room, or kitchen. Allowing your child to have a computer in the bedroom is only asking for grief. Of course, teenagers are going to want their privacy so it is understandable for them to want a computer in their bedroom. For younger children it is best to keep the computer in a place where you can sustain an observe on them and what they are looking at.
The next step is to space clear rules about what is acceptable and what is not when it comes to using the internet. State guidelines about how much time can be spent on the computer and what sites are appropriate for viewing. It does help to employ the parental and security controls on your computer but these controls do not block everything. If the internet use rules are broken there needs to be consequences otherwise your children will continue to bend and break the rules. For example, if sites are visited that are off limits computer privileges should be lost for the remainder of time allotted, or the amount of time you determine. The consequences can be anything you choose as long as there is some sort of loss of privilege.
For any child, including teenagers no more than 2 hours a day should be spent on the internet. The internet can be addicting and for children this can be especially detrimental. Too much time spent sitting around not doing much of anything, like using the internet or playing video games can be poor for children’s health and development. Limit computer use to positive hours like immediately after school or dinner. When the allotted internet time is used up it is best to have your child net in the habit of completely turning off the computer. This will help lop temptation of going back online. As a parent it also helps to set an example, as it does with anything else in life. Limit your occupy computer consume while your children are around so they rep the idea of what is acceptable. Once the children have gone to bed or school, as an adult you can do whatever you want.
Media Downloads
Lots of children these days have mp3 and video players. In order to use them they have to download files from the internet that can be transferred to the player for later viewing or listening. Many files can be downloaded with ease but sometimes files that have been downloaded also carry viruses that can threaten your computer. Your child may also unknowingly download files that cost money or contain vulgar language and content. It is way too easy for children to download inappropriate music, videos, ring tones, photos, games, and even TV shows that can be transferred to mp3 players, video players, and cell phones. This data can also be burned to CD’s and DVD’s if your computer has a burner.
Generally speaking most legitimate downloads are not free. Beware of free downloads because they are often riddled with spyware, trojans, and viruses that can wreak havoc on your computer causing it to malfunction, hurry slowly, or crash. Person to Person (P2P) file sharing programs like Kazaa and Limewire are great places to find free downloads, but your child may unintentionally download threats to your computer with files, or unknowingly violate copyright laws. It you want to be safe and avoid breaking any laws it is best to use a registered downloading service like iTunes. Many downloading services available will let you download an unlimited amount of files that can either be stored or transferred to a device for a residence monthly fee.
As with general internet use you will want to set rules for what can be downloaded. For younger children it is best to have them ask you to download files, or ask permission before downloading anything. This way, you can check each download to make positive it is safe for your computer and appropriate for your child. Also, set guidelines for how powerful can be downloaded and how often. After downloading mp3′s, videos, ring tones, or other tell you should bustle a virus scan on your computer to check for unwanted or harmful software, spyware, or viruses.
Surfing the Web
Just “hanging out” on the internet, looking at photos, finding information, and talking to friends or family is great, but not every site can be trusted. Unprejudiced to log onto some sites may require you to download additional software and viewers, which may be accompanied by viruses, malaware, or spyware. Explain your children never to click on pop ups and install a pop up blocker to stop most of them from coming through. The internet offers tons of information on lots of subjects but most children fail to realize not all of this information is accurate, and in some cases dangerous. When allowing your children to browse or surf the web make it clear which sites are acceptable and those that are not. Any sites your child visits should be age appropriate and this applies to teenagers also.
It may be harder to enforce the rules for teenagers but if you are concerned they’re looking at things they shouldn’t be, check the history every couple of days. If your children fail to observe the rules and visit sites that are off limits, enforce consequences. If taking away privileges doesn’t work you may have to suspend computer use all together for a period of time. This is another reason why the computer should be located in a family friendly area of the home. Children and teenagers will be less likely to visit sites they shouldn’t if they know mom and dad are right there and it’s possible to get caught.
Social Sites and Photo Sharing
There are many interactive sites available for children to talk to friends, share photos, and other information. From online diaries to photo sharing there are hundreds of sites your children can access. Many of the social networking sites out there are inappropriate for children and use should be fairly limited. Sites like Myspace, Facebook, Ringo, Snapfish, and Zanga are great ways for children to share their lives with friends and family but certain guidelines should be followed. These guidelines should include not posting personally identifiable information or inappropriate photos and videos. Predators love these kind of sites and will specifically search out underage children because they are easy targets.
Ideally, children younger than middle school age should not have profiles on social sites. Even for teenagers profiles should be set to private only. When using a private setting only friends and family will be able to view the content on your child’s profile. With most social sites, when a profile is set to private the user has to okay new friends and buddies. It can be hard to find a good balance between personal freedom and safety, but in order to protect your children it is best to be as safe as possible. When your child wants to upload photos to a website it is best if you review the pictures first. In a child’s eyes some photos may not seem inappropriate, but to an adult this may be a bit more clear. Photos of your children in bathing suits, skimpy or revealing clothing, and school uniforms should not be posted online.
As with photos, some information should also not be posted on social networking sites. Information that should not be posted online includes your child’s full name (generally first names are fine), home address, phone number, the school they attend, and any other personally identifiable information. Social networking sites are great for staying in touch with friends and family but as with most websites they do have their downfalls. Teach your children never to add strangers to their friends list or agree to meet someone they met over the internet. Because the internet can be a nameless, faceless place you never know who your children are really talking to. They could be thinking they’re friends with someone their own age only to find out later on it is an adult, who may have a criminal record or history of abusing children.
Online Gaming
As with video game systems, online gaming can become an addiction and should be limited. Of all the time you allow your children to spend online, less than 50% of that time should be allotted for playing games. Not all games are suitable for children either, or teenagers for that matter. Gambling, sex, and violence are very much a part of online gaming. Even if it doesn’t seem obvious the underlying message may be one of violence, sex, or gambling. These are not subjects appropriate for children and should be avoided or restricted.
There are hundreds of online casinos that wildly promote gambling and use tricks to get your children hooked. Many gambling sites offer “free” money for signing up or will let your child open an account that will later be charged hefty fees. Free demos that require the use of a credit card to sign up or play should be avoided. Children may play numerous games without realizing they are actually being charged. There are lots of free games on the internet but many online games are just not free; there are usually strings attached.
Games that promote sex and violence are not appropriate for any child, no matter what age. Know what games your children are playing, what the rules and terms are, and find out if social interaction is a part of the game. Some gaming sites allow users to interact with each other, hold private chats, and send information via the hosting server. Games of this nature should be off limits for all young children and most teenagers.
Chat Rooms and Messaging
For the most part, no child should be allowed to enter a public chat room unless it is specifically a chat room for kids. Even if the chat is open only to children of certain ages that does not mean predators cannot get it. It is way too easy for an adult to make up a fake name and birth date just to get into children’s chat rooms. As with social networking sites, guidelines need to be set and enforced when it comes to online chat. Establish with your children, even your teenagers what kind of talk is appropriate and what is not. Teach your children that talking online is just like talking in person or on the phone. Don’t say anything you wouldn’t say in real life, don’t make threats, and don’t give out personal information.
Public chat rooms can be full of predators specifically looking to talk to children and underage teens. Within seconds a seemingly innocent conversation can turn from docile to sexual, dangerous, or hurtful. As with any internet use, determine how much time you want your children to spend chatting online and what chat rooms they are allowed to use. When it comes to online chat you and your children will be safer when using a free messaging service like AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, or Myspace Messenger. Of course, messaging capabilities should be limited to private or buddy list only.
In order to keep your children safe while online and protect them from threats you have to take a proactive approach. Know where your children are going online, what they looking at, what they are downloading, and mainly who they are in contact with. Teenagers are going to want more freedom, and accordingly so but they need to be aware there will be consequences for breaking the rules. Let all of your children know that when it comes to the internet you set rules to keep them safe, not to limit their privacy or stop them from doing what they want. The internet can be a great place for children and teenagers when used correctly. It may seem like an invasion of privacy to keep checking up on your children but it is better to be safe than sorry.
