Although the Internet provides entertainment and is a useful learning tool for children, it also can put them in harm's way. Children who use the Internet may be exposed to pornography, cyberbullying and even child predators. In fact, approximately one in seven children experience a sexual solicitation while online, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Parents who teach their children about Internet safety can minimize the risks posed when their children use the Internet.
Precautions
Parents should always talk to their children about simple precautions they can take to protect themselves when they are online, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Children should be advised not to post personal information online, even when they believe they are directing it toward a friend or loved one. Parents should also explain that information posted online is permanent, and that pictures and information posted online may be shared or altered by others without their knowledge. Children should understand that they should never post anything online that they wouldn't say to someone in person. Children also need to understand that many people are not what they appear online, and that they need to be extra cautious when "meeting" people online who they don't know. Parents should tell children that they should always trust their gut if they have suspicions that someone online is up to no good, and encourage them to speak up when something happens online that makes them uncomfortable. Parents should also prohibit their children from entering chat rooms, telling their online passwords to friends or meeting people in person, warns the University of Michigan Health System.
COPPA
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA, is a federal law created to help protect children online. This law makes it illegal for websites to require a child to provide personal information to use the materials or games on a site. It also requires websites to obtain parental permission before collecting or using a child's personal information, which includes their first and last name, phone number, address or Social Security number. However, despite this law, parents should still explain to their children the dangers of giving out personal information over the Internet and closely monitor their children's Internet usage.
Considerations
Sometimes children know more about the Internet than their parents. Parents who would like to become more Internet-savvy should consider taking a computer class to brush up on their skills. Libraries, community colleges and even the local school district can often provide recommendations of technology classes that may prove beneficial.
Misconceptions
Software that blocks access to certain websites or tracks online usage can prove useful, but it is not always enough to keep children safe. There is no substitute for active parental involvement, conscientious computer monitoring and open communication between parents and children when it comes to Internet safety.
Child Pornography
Pedophiles often use the Internet to attempt to satisfy their desires for children. If a parent or child stumbles across child pornography on the Internet, the parent should call the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, at (800) 843-5678, as soon as possible to report the crime. The report can also be filed with the Center at CyberTipline.com. Parents who learn that their child has received pornography through the Internet should also contact their local police department or the FBI as soon as possible.
Warning
Parents need to be aware of warning signs that may indicate their child may be involved with an online predator. These warning signs may include receiving phone calls from strangers, unsolicited gifts arriving in the mail or finding pornography on the child's computer. Other warning signs often include suddenly turning off the computer when a parent enters the room, a sudden withdrawal from family, a reluctance to talk about online activities and spending long periods of time online, especially at night, according to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Children who display any of these warning signs need to be closely monitored. If parents discover their child has been involved in an inappropriate relationship with an adult online, they should call their local police department or FBI agency immediately. They should also consider counseling for their child.
