A parent’s guide to how to protect children online
Most kids today have either their own computer, or access to the family computer and the net. While the net is an astounding learning resource for kids, it can also be fraught with danger. we have all seen the disastrous results of some relationships formed online with predators and other unsavory characters. What steps can you take to protect children online? The good news is that there is plenty you can do. It begins with good, open lines of communication and, if necessary, educating yourself on online kid’s jargon, chat rooms, social networking sites and instant messaging services, all places and means of potential trouble.
Teens and pre-teens enjoy the instant and free modes of communication available on the net. Kids spend hours, chatting and socializing with people online. These activities can be legitimate fun. The trouble arises when kids lack the experience and savvy necessary to understand that, just as with a stroll at the mall, people may not be who or what they appear, or represent themselves to be. it is up to you to educate them on online safety.
To effectively protect children online, do not start by being a party pooper on the legitimate fun they gain online. Your teen will turn off to a negative approach. Let them know that you think these venues are cool, up to a point. Let them know it is the job of every parent to protect children online and that you’d like to give them your two cents worth on how they can be smarter surfers and avoid dangerous situations. it is easy enough to find a news item describing a predator who lured a child to meet ‘IRL’ (in real life) with horrific results.
One vital piece of advice you want to pass on in your efforts to protect children online is that they should never, ever give out passwords to anyone but you! Doing so can open many doors to danger from people who might well do them harm. This might come in the form of stealing photos and personal information that can be all over the net and virtually impossible to delete.
You also want to let them know that they should never divulge personal information that can identify them or their location.
Let your kids know that while instant messaging services and social networking sites are great ways to communicate with friends and family they know offline, it is also a predator’s dream come true in terms of hiding their tracks and subtly gaining the trust of kids.
Another measure that helps you protect children online is by monitoring their chat rooms, blog profiles or social networking sites on which they may have a page. Again, it is important that you project a positive and two-way communication style. Instead of lecturing, ask them if you can visit some of the sites they frequent, so you can offer your tips and remarks on how to tell if someone’s a phony or worse. If your child seems reluctant to divulge this information, you may have a problem. In this case, a little parental detective work may be in order if you are to protect children online.
In chat rooms and IM services, you will find a whole teen acronym ‘language’. Here are a few to look out for as you scan the messages flying back and forth. Did you know that ‘LMIRL’ translates to ‘let us meet in real life’? ‘P911′ means ‘Parents are coming’. Oddly, ‘143′ means ‘I love you’.
As for blog profiles and social networking sites, explain to them that they should use the privacy feature and set their page to private. Otherwise, any one in the world has access to whatever info they have posted.
No matter how smart you think your kids are, do not rely on them to use good judgment. it is up to you to protect children online. Do your homework, sit down and talk and monitor their online activities. When you do, maybe they’ll be able to educate their friends too!
