23 September 2006
Parents: How to protect your children online
For people who have children and teenagers who use the Internet, there is a wonderful site that describes the dangers (with some real life examples of what can happen) as well as ways to prevent such things from happening and tools to protect children from such dangers.
When talking about the dangers on the Internet, it details the definition of pornography both legal and illegal in an easy to understand way as well as giving the legal definition. It also goes into how a child might access pornography online and how it is harmful to children, sexual predators online and statistics and news stories.
There is a section for parents which answers common questions such as if your child is ready to use the Internet, gives the positive and negative aspects of the Internet, provides safety tips, give warning signs that your child may be looking at online pornography and provides a contract that you and your children can sign that if the rules are followed will keep you and your child safe.
The site also provides information about different tools that are available to protect children along with a list of sites that provide evaluations of different tools and tips as well.
If a cybercrime has already taken place with your child, there are links to different agencies that the crime can be reported to including the local FBI offices.
I have the personal opinion that children should be given as much of a free choice as possible including on the Internet and that it is parents' responsibility to monitor and make sure the child using the Internet responsibly, but I also know that children cannot be watched at all times and such tools are useful during those times. Children should be explained what actions are good and which are dangerous, which is especially where this site comes in handy.
When talking about the dangers on the Internet, it details the definition of pornography both legal and illegal in an easy to understand way as well as giving the legal definition. It also goes into how a child might access pornography online and how it is harmful to children, sexual predators online and statistics and news stories.
There is a section for parents which answers common questions such as if your child is ready to use the Internet, gives the positive and negative aspects of the Internet, provides safety tips, give warning signs that your child may be looking at online pornography and provides a contract that you and your children can sign that if the rules are followed will keep you and your child safe.
The site also provides information about different tools that are available to protect children along with a list of sites that provide evaluations of different tools and tips as well.
If a cybercrime has already taken place with your child, there are links to different agencies that the crime can be reported to including the local FBI offices.
I have the personal opinion that children should be given as much of a free choice as possible including on the Internet and that it is parents' responsibility to monitor and make sure the child using the Internet responsibly, but I also know that children cannot be watched at all times and such tools are useful during those times. Children should be explained what actions are good and which are dangerous, which is especially where this site comes in handy.
