by Lauren Beyenhof

Created on: September 17, 2007

Protecting your children and ensuring a safe online experience requires attentive parenting. Below are some suggestions:

1. Establish "house rules" regarding computer use
2. Keep the computer in a centralized location,
3. Know your kids' email addresses and passwords
4. Monitor Internet use by checking the browser's search history
5. Check up on your child as you deem necessary, by reading their email.

One thing to keep in mind as you monitor your child's online use is that they may protest your involvement. Chances are, the more your child claims you are invading his/her privacy, the more likely s/he is engaging in inappropriate behavior online.

*Online Predators

1 in 7 children report having been contacted by a stranger online. Predators often initiate a conversation by asking "A/S/L?" (i.e. "age/sex/location.") Instruct your children to obey the following when online:

1. Never accept an instant message from strangers
2. Never engage in sexual talk or discussion with a stranger online.
3. Do not share private, personal information (passwords, last name, school, etc.)

*Cyber-Bullies

Approximately 43% of teens have reported being a victim of cyber-bullying. Examples of cyber-bullying include:

1. Harassing emails,
2. Unflattering and untrue comments on blogs or social networking site
3. Real-world bullying provoked by online bullying

MySpace is a fertile breeding ground for cyber-bullies. Many teens, particularly middle-school girls, may feel emboldened by the anonymity that the Internet offers them. Remind your child that they are expected to behave responsibly online, and exhibit the quality of character online and in the real world.

If your child comes to you claiming to be a victim of cyber-bullying, there are some steps you can take. First, make copies of the offensive and questionable material by capturing it as a screen shot. To do this, hit ctrl + prnt scrn, located near the top right of the keyboard. Then, open up a word processor and paste the image your just captured onto the page by hitting ctrl + V. By keeping a record of the offense, you now have evidence to present to other parents or school officials as the need arises.

*Cyber-Criminals

Cyber criminals will attempt to obtain your information by a variety of means. Keystroke trackers, for example, keep a record of which keys you type when you are on a particular website.

1. Install anti-virus protection and keep it turned on
2. Set your browser to block pop-up ads
3. Utilize the parental-control features of your browser
4. Instruct your children to be cautious about which websites they visit. Discourage them from visiting sites that require personal information
5. Online purchase items online from secure sites that have "https" in their web address

*Conclusion

Like many things, Internet usage must be monitored and moderated to prevent harm or abuse. Discuss the dangers with your child in an age appropriate fashion. Teach them to regard the computer primarily as a tool of knowledge. By setting clear boundaries, you are giving your child the gift of a safe online experience.

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