Internet Safe Kids

There is hardly a better learning tool and resource for finding information than the Internet. However, even though the Internet is great you must be careful and protect your children from the harmful material readily available to them.

Take a look at these simple steps that will help prevent your children from stumbling across objectionable sites.

  1. Warn them of the dangers.
  2. Install a filtering or blocking program on your computer such as Net Nanny or CyberSitter
  3. Activate the blocking feature provided on your browser or by your Internet service provider.
  4. Keep the computer screen in plain view.
  5. Keep the logs available, don't allow them to be erased.
  6. If the logs are erased, investigate why.
  7. Keep your children accountable to you or someone else.
  8. Be careful if using chat rooms.
  9. Don't allow personal information to be given out.

----Net Nanny ad here ----

If your child has been spending a lot of time on the Internet lately, you may want to check up on their activity. You can do that by viewing the history of your browser. Click on the history button in the icons at the top of the screen, or you can go to the top menu and select "View" - "Explorer Bar" - "History". You can also type "Ctrl" and "H" on the keyboard. When you do that a menu pops up on the side of your browser displaying time frames. Click on one and you'll see the various websites that were accessed on that day.

If you find that your child has deleted the history of your browser, you will want to investigate why.

Filtering software is not necessarily a one-size-fits-all proposition. Some require a subscription and others are a one time purchase agreement. Go to their websites and check out the product information area. If there is a demo try it out. Some will provide for a free trial period.

---- Cyber Sitter ad here ----

The FBI, on their Internet Safety web page, provides these safety tips for kids:

There are some very important things that you need to keep in mind when you're on your computer at home or at school.
  • First, remember never to give out personal information such as your name, home address, school name, or telephone number in a chat room or on bulletin boards. Also, never send a picture of yourself to someone you chat with on the computer without your parent's permission.
  • Never write to someone who has made you feel uncomfortable or scared.
  • Do not meet someone or have them visit you without the permission of your parents.
  • Tell your parents right away if you read anything on the Internet that makes you feel uncomfortable.
  • Remember that people online may not be who they say they are. Someone who says that "she" is a "12-year-old girl" could really be an older man.

Internet kid safety is very important, don't put it off. The bad sites out there are targeting our children and are very persistent. Whether you are new to the Internet or a well-seasoned surfer, safety for your family, should be considered at all times. Remember, the internet can be an enjoyable addition to your children's education, just be wise and supervise.