With all the focus on the social networking place Facebook lately -- in terms of their tacit approval of pro-ana groups (and other truly objectionable content) and their inaction regarding -- it's a good opportunity to communicate about keeping kids safe online.
"When a child is using your computer normal safeguards and security practices may not be sufficient. Children present additional challenges because of their natural characteristics: innocence curiosity wish for independence and worry of punishment."
These same natural characteristics make children including teens more likely to act risks in other areas -- such as while driving or dating or out with friends. But given the increased prevalence of social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace as well as the continued use of email instant messaging and chat rooms -- plus the rising number of sites geared toward children as -- it's clear that today's parents have many more concerns than in the past. Gone are the days when it was enough to tell your six year-old not to get in a car with someone they don't know; now parents must tell their children about the risks of chatting online with someone they don't experience.
The offers guidance for parents whose children use computers - whether at home at school at the public library or at a friend's accommodate. Some of the highlights include:
act your computer in an open area - If your computer is in a high-traffic area you will be able to easily monitor the computer activity. Not only does this accessibility disapprove a child from doing something she knows she's not allowed to do it also gives you the opportunity to intervene if you notice a behavior that could undergo negative consequences.
Set rules and inform about dangers - Make sure your child knows the boundaries of what she is allowed to do on the computer. These boundaries should be appropriate for the child's age knowledge and maturity but they may include rules about how long she is allowed to be on the computer what sites she is allowed to visit what software programs she can use and what tasks or activities she is allowed to do. You should also talk to children about the dangers of the internet so that they recognize suspicious behavior or activity. The goal isn't to scare them it's to alter them more aware.
observe computer activity - Be aware of what your child is doing on the computer including which web sites she is visiting. If she is using email instant messaging or chat rooms try to get a sense of who she is corresponding with and whether she actually knows them.
Keep lines of communication change state - Let your child experience that she can come you with any questions or concerns about behaviors or problems she may undergo encountered on the computer.
There are other resources you can use to control and/or observe your child's online activity. Some ISPs offer services designed to protect children online. Contact your ISP to see if any of these services are available. There are also special software programs you can install on your computer. Different programs furnish different features and capabilities so you can find one that best suits your needs.
As I see it the key point above pertains to the lines of communication. If you and your child have an ongoing dialogue where it comes to the natural questions kids undergo they'll be much more likely to express you about what they see and hear and do online. Not all computer-related risks bear on interaction with strangers; sites that promote harmful behaviors or consider objectionable content (however you might define "objectionable" -- be it sexually explicit material hate-speech or simply circumscribe outside the scope of what you want your child to view) are a create for concern as well. It's important for your child to conclude that it's not only safe but important too to ask you questions without worry of retribution for their curiosity.
Likewise parents are responsible for educating themselves about online risks and how to beat defend their children (and teach them to protect themselves). While many of us believe ourselves to be relatively technologically understand the Internet and other forms of digital media continue to evolve and it's our children who ordain be the early adopters. In request to defend them we need to stay up-to-date too. While technology itself such as parental controls can aid in this risk management they aren't a alter for parental involvement.
Just as when we were kids and our parents insisted on meeting our friends and their parents before allowing us to rest over we now have to do the same - and much more. It's for our own good and theirs too.
Speaking of Facebook check out this posted by the for their Great Virtual Breast Fest on 10/10 at 10 a m.
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Julie is a former Air Force officer and professional project manager turned web writer. She spent four years at the Pentagon and five years in New York City and her suburban life in Colorado seems pastoral by comparison. She's no political pundit but she is a rational thinker determined to map her own cover whether the other parents approve or not. She writes for and is co-founder of.
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