Tips on Internet Safety for Children

Nov. 29, 2012 - PRLog -- The internet has become a mainstay in most homes. Parents go online to read the news, for entertainment, to stay connected with friends and family, and for many other reasons. Children access the internet as well, many times as a requirement for their schoolwork. As useful as the internet can be, it has a dark side. Criminals who prey on children, lurk online, counting on their innocence and naivete in order to take advantage of them. Internet safety for children has become a growing concern. However, there are ways to safeguard children from some of the evils of the internet.

●  Enforce some basic cybersecurity rules, such as: guarding your password, not opening emails from someone you don't know and not clicking on unknown links.
● Limit online time. While the internet can be a valuable source for learning, spending too much tine online can be detrimental. Aside from creating sedentary children which can contribute to childhood obesity, the more time they spend online, the more likely they are to visit sites where their safety can be compromised.
● Explain the importance of guarding personal information. Let them know they are never to give out addresses or phone numbers or any other personal information without first getting adult permission. Tell them they are not allowed to send a picture of themselves to anyone.
● Stress the importance of caution in chatrooms and on social networks. Warn them about the dangers of meeting up with anyone they met online without parental supervision.
● Keep the computer in a shared room where parents can easily monitor the usage. Do not allow young children to have a computer in their bedroom where parents might never truly know what their kids are doing online.
● Visit NetSmartzKids.org® with your child for printable Internet Safety Pledges and Rules. The site is sponsored by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and focuses on internet safety for children.
● Educate yourself. Children are often more tech savvy than their parents. Don't allow this fact to be the reason your children are preyed upon. Learn more about the sites they are visiting. Ask for help from other adults if needed.
• Install a firewall or a child friendly browser like the netSafe Web Browser available at www.bestlinedefense.com or at their location in the Hot Springs Mall. This gives parents control over what websites a child can visit while keeping the internet experience fun and educational.