Online Child Safety
How Safe Is Your Child Online?
As a parent, how can you try to keep your child safe? Well, for starters, never allow a child to have a PC in their bedroom or any room that they can close themselves off to the rest of the family. Common areas are the best where people are coming and going. Don't allow them to use chat programs when you're away. It's fine to use the Internet for homework research but give them guidelines for using chatrooms and Instant Messaging programs (IMs). Ask them for all their accounts and passwords just so they will know that they can be checked up on at any time. Sit down with them and go through all their online friends and ask them how they know them. Make sure that their chat program blocks others from adding them to their contact list automatically. Advise your child never to add anyone to their buddy list that they don't know. Enable their chats to be logged in case you need to report any abuse or incidents later on. I once watched a Computer Security expert on TV that said a child should have no more than 100 friends on their list but I think that number should be much lower and it is for my kids. You decide as you go through their friends list. One sure way to tell if a kid is trying to hide something is if they quickly change screens when you walk over to the computer. Some kids even have fake screens that appear like a normal desktop, which they quickly toggle to hide their chats. I also keep an online safety rules list posted right next to the computer for the kids to read and then review regularly. You should talk to your kids about what is safe to disclose online and what’s not. They should not be giving out personal information about themselves or your family. Anyone could be snooping in on their conversation whether it’s a child predator, burglar or identity thief. The more personal information given out, the more an E-Stranger could know about your child and family. Give them the same speech as you would if you were sending them off to the outside world. Children don’t need to be frightened but educated of possible dangers to become street smart. I discourage the use of webcams with children and teens as they are usually not mature enough to handle them responsibly. If their friends really know them then they don't need to see what they look like. Sure, it can be fun to see your buddy typing back but why take the risk? Webcams are constantly being misused in the hands of kids and do you really want a camera looking into your household? There is no such thing as privacy on the Internet or through email so get that straight. Do you really want to give E-Strangers the ability to identify your child on the street or in public? I suggest that you print the recommendations by the Canadian Safety Council and go over each point with your child.
PRINT THIS, READ IT OVER WITH YOUR CHILDREN THEN POST IT BY YOUR PC
The Canada Safety Council recommends that children who use the Internet follow these rules:
- I will not give out any personal information online without my parents' permission. This includes my name, phone number, address, e-mail, location of my school, my parents' work address/ telephone numbers and credit card numbers, and my picture. This goes for anywhere on the Internet, including e-mail, chat rooms, newsgroups - even Web sites that promise me free stuff or prizes, or on Web pages that I make myself.
- When using the Internet, I will always use a pretend name or nickname that doesn't reveal whether I'm a boy or a girl.
- When creating a password, I will make one up that is hard to guess but easy for me to remember. To avoid having it stolen, I will never reveal it to anyone (except my parents) - not even my best friend.
- I will not respond to any message that makes me uncomfortable. I will show an adult right away.
- I will arrange to meet a friend I have made on the Internet ONLY if one of my parents has been informed and will be present.
- I will not send an insulting or rude message to anyone online. This is called "flaming" and it is not good Netiquette.
- I will not disable any filtering software my parents have put on the computer.
- I will not open e-mail, files, links, pictures or games from people that I don't know or trust. I will always ask an adult first.
- I will not take words, pictures or sounds from someone else's Web site without their permission.
- I will not believe everything I read on the Internet. I will always check the source of the information and confirm it with my teacher, parent or librarian.
Until next time...Live to Surf...Safely and help protect the children!!!!