Internet Safety for Kids
The Internet offers many opportunities for learning, constructive entertainment, and personal growth. It can also be a very dangerous place for your child. Here are some tips for protecting your child on the Internet.
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Keep the computer in the family room or another open area of your home. Be aware of any other computers your child may be using.
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Post clear, simple, easy-to-read rules for Internet usage such as the time of day that they can be online, the length of time, and appropriate areas for children to visit.
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Let children show you what they can do online, and visit their favorite sites.
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Have children use child-friendly search engines. Here are a few:
- Ask Jeeves for Kids (http://www.ajkids.com). Developed by the creators of the Ask Jeeves search engine, this site provides links to web sites with information on virtually any topic.
- Cybersleuth Kids (http://www.cybersleuth-kids.com). This site directs online searches by pre-organizing web links and information into categories and sub-categories.
- Yahooligans (http://www.yahooligans.com). As its name implies, this site was created by the developers of the Yahoo! search engine. Its greatest strength is that the pre-selection of links will help limit the number of "hits" a search query returns. Also, the query will return hits that anticipate a student's interest in related sites (e.g., the term "Husky" will return sites about Siberian Huskies, dogs, and dog sledding).
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Know who children are exchanging e-mail with, and only let them use chat areas when you can supervise.
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Always maintain access to your child’s on-line accounts and randomly check his/her e-mail. Be up front with your child about your access and reasons why.
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If children use chat or e-mail, talk to them about never meeting in person with anyone they first "met" online.
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Consider using filtering or monitoring software for your computer.
Other tips for Internet safety:
 Web sites for children are not permitted to request personal information without a parent's permission. Talk to children about what personal information is and why you should never give it to people online. - Talk to children about what to do if they see something that makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. Show them how to turn off the monitor and to tell a trusted adult if they see something that bothers them online.
- Keeping your child company at the computer is also a good way to spend quality time together - and help with their education. For example, if your child is researching a school project, you can help them learn to search effectively, check their reading skills and discuss the information you find.
- Be alert to danger signals. Your child may be at risk if he or she:
Sources:
Child Safety on the Information Highway by Lawrence J. Magid. Copyright © 1994 National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).
"A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety" - U.S. Department of Justice, FBI Publication
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