Keeping Kids Safe on the Internet
Parents Can Help Kids Steer Clear of Dangers on the Web
Apr 5, 2007
Even the youngest children enjoy riding the information superhighway known as the World Wide Web; and why not? With just a few key strokes their favorite characters are right at their finger tips. There are Dora dress up pages, Sesame Street friends, and even Public Broadcasting characters, such a Caillou and Dragon Tales ready for a quick change computer paint job.
With so much fun ready at small finger tips, it can be hard for parents to consider that the same Internet also holds many dangers. Don’t be panicked. Be prepared. Your children can still have a pleasant, child friendly experience if you follow these suggestions.
- Learn about filtering and parental control programs. While it is true that filtering programs occasionally block access to safe sites, it happens more often that these programs block access to sites that are inappropriate for young eyes. Your child need not even search for such sites. Sometimes these sites come up with incorrect keystrokes or innocent searches (try book marking your child’s favorite sites as one strategy for avoiding this problem).
- Read the privacy policies of the sites that your child visits. These policies are required by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). COPPA is a federal law that helps protect kids on the Internet; and helps you, the parent, regulate access to their personal information.
- Don't be afraid of your computer or the Internet. If you haven’t done so already, get in there and give it a try. It doesn’t matter if you don’t feel comfortable right away. With time and patience you can become a computer pro. Your learning process may even bring you closer to your child because of the shared experience it offers.
- Talk with your children. Your home computer is not the only one they will have access to. Even very young children share computer time just as they share video/DVD time during play dates. Explain what is and is not okay. Encourage your child(ren) to talk with you if they feel uncertain or fearful about anything they encounter on the Internet.
- Talk with other parents before you drop your child(ren) off for play dates. Many parents feel at ease telling other parents that they are most comfortable with their children viewing only G or PG rated movies, but never broach a discussion about Internet use or safety.
Using the Internet seems nearly as common as using the telephone these days. Parents can help children maximize the benefits and minimize any potential dangers of the World Wide Web by staying aware and being proactive.
