Safety Tips for protecting your children from Internet Dangers
These tips below will help you take precautiions to protect your child from the dangers of the Internet.
- Monitor your child’s Internet use consistently. Keep the computer in a public area of the house. This is not a violation of your child’s privacy; this is a safeguarding measure and part of your responsibility as a parent. Keep in mind that your child’s personal websites and/or blog is a public domain, not private property.
- Decide on a reasonable amount of time that your child can spend online each day and be prepared to enforce it.
- If your child belongs to a social networking site (MySpace, Facebook, Tagged, Xanga, etc), look closely at what information they have posted in their member profiles and blogs, including photos and videos. Predators, bullies, profanity and threats often occur in these types of sites.
- Find out what other websites your child’s social networking site is linked to. Sometimes your child’s web pages may be safe but they may be linked to a site which could endanger them (a pornographic site, a site in which a friend mentions your child’s phone number, a site slandering school administrators).
- Talk to your child about your Internet safety concerns in a positive way and give them the opportunity to make safety resolutions that you can both live with (example, how much time can be spent online? Are chat rooms permitted?).
- Explain that your kids should: Never give out personal information (name, address, phone, school name), NEVER meet anyone from online without your permission, NEVER open emails from unknown senders and NEVER share their photo with strangers over the Internet. Shared photos are an easy way for a predator to find a child or modify your child’s image for pornographic use.
- Encourage your children to bring anything strange or upsetting to your attention and don’t overreact when they do (fear of losing Internet privileges is why kids don’t tell parents about problems—and why they may start surfing the web somewhere else).
- Stay in touch with your kid’s online activities. Know who their online friends are (and who is on their buddy list), just as you would their other friends.
- Internet accounts should always be in the parent’s name. The parent should maintain the primary email account and be in charge of all passwords and parental controls. Kids should never share their passwords with anyone other than their parents.
- Notify the police if someone your child met online starts calling them, sending gifts, or trying to lure them from home.
- Discuss what constitutes an inappropriate use of the Internet (harassing others, bullying, using profanity, looking at pornography, making purchases without your permission, etc) and what the consequences will be
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New Neighborhood Safety Tips
Moving to a new community may be an exciting and challenging time for families. It is vital to communicate with your children about their new home and neighborhood and reassure them about the changes in their lives. It is also important to pay careful attention to their feelings about the move and encourage them to share their thoughts with you.
- Make certain your children know their full names, new address, and telephone numbers as soon as possible.
- Make a point of meeting your neighbors and introducing them to your children while you are with them.
- Make a list of contact and emergency telephone numbers as soon as possible after you move. Include TRUSTED ADULTS your children may contact if they need assistance and you are unavailable. In the event your children may be lost or injured, make sure they carry a contact card with your name and telephone numbers such as work and cellular. This card should be hidden from plain view.
- Take your children on a walking tour of the neighborhood, and determine what supervision they need when outside. Teach them
•Surrounding streets and main roads by name and landmarks
•To stay on main roads and never take shortcuts
•Landmarks and safe places they may go to for assistance if they need help
- Make a map with your children of acceptable routes to and from school, the playground, store, and any other locations they are allowed to visit. Encourage them to carry the map at all times to use if they need help finding their way.
- Remind your children they must CHECK FIRST with you before going anywhere or changing plans.
- Remind your children of these safety rules when they are home alone.
•Keep the doors and windows locked
•Never open the door or talk to anyone who calls or comes to the home unless the person is a trusted family friend or relative your children feel comfortable talking to or being alone with and whose visit has been pre- approved by you
- Teach your children to never give out personal information to anyone or tell anyone they are home alone.
- Teach your children to trust their feelings and TELL you or another trusted adult in anyone makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused in any way.
- Practice these safety rules with your children to make certain they really know and understand them. Make outings around the new neighborhood “teachable moments” and a chance to put their skills to the test.
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