Compiled by Linda A. Kosko, Collaborative Director, Danbury Children First
Parents in the last ten years have had to take on a new responsibility- guiding their children in positive and safe use of online services. For many parents, this technology was something that they had to learn, many times with their children. Parents should remember that they don’t have to be an expert on the Internet to help their children be safe, although some knowledge is necessary. Here are a few basic points of information for parents.
1. Communicate your values to your children, and explain to them that these values are the same whether you are speaking with someone in person or on the Internet.
For example, since they are not supposed to talk to strangers, explain to them that there are strangers
on the Internet, and this same rule applies.
2. Tell your children not to give out any personal information such as the their telephone number, address and last name.
3. Learn more about the Internet if you are not familiar with it.
4. Have the computer in a place in your home where you and other family members are, like the living room, or kitchen.
5. Tell your children if they feel uncomfortable or confused in any way after communicating with someone on the Internet, they should talk about it with you as soon as possible.
6. Make sure your children know that if they want to meet anyone from the Internet, they should never go alone. An adult or guardian should always go with them. Before the meeting, they should discuss with the adult if they should even meet the person.
7. Remember that on the Internet, you don’t know anything about the person except what they have told you through e-mail or a chat room.
8. Spend some time exploring the Internet together in an area of mutual interest or to work on a homework assignment.
The above are just a few tips.
For more information, go to the following sites or call Danbury Children First at (203) 797-8088:
The Children’s Partnership
http://www.childrenspartnership.org
This site has The Parents’ Guide to the Information Superhighway, Rules and Tools for Families Online. The Guide gives basic information about the internet in an easy-to-read format for parents and caregivers. It has very good section, How Can You Keep Your Child Safe Online?
U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crimes Against Children Program
http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguide.htm
This site has A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety that includes information on:
· the warning signs that your child might be at risk online,
· what to do if your child has been exploited, and
· how to minimize the chances of online exploitation of your child.
U.S. Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/internet/
This site has a Parents Guide to the Internet, mostly about the Internet and a small section on Tips for Safe Traveling online that parents can use with their children.