The Internet is like a huge city, says computer safety consultant Josh Rochester of Hillsboro, Ore. It has resources for education, places to play, and fun and interesting people to get to know. Unfortunately, also like a huge city, it has its share of dangerous neighborhoods and criminal predators. Although you should allow your children to use the computer and Internet, you shouldn't let them play there unsupervised any more than you would let them run around without you while visiting New York or Los Angeles.
Basic Computer Skills
Rochester recommends that your first step in computer safety is ensuring the safety of the computer itself. Teach your children what each part is for, how to navigate to basic tools like word processors and favorite video games, and what to do when things go wrong. Remind them not set drinks near the keyboard, pull on cords, or to issue the same command repeatedly when the computer is slow to respond.
Kids' Accounts
Set up a separate user for your children on each computer in your home. Do not give this account administrative privileges and leave it open without password protection. Do protect your adult user account. This ensures that your child can't make changes to your computer without consulting you and that you can view his activity history at any time. Take care to guard your password and change it regularly, since your children will be tempted to use your account.
Inappropriate Content
Although the Internet is full of valuable information, it's also got its fair share of violent, sexual and otherwise disturbing content. Family safety consultant Gavin DeBecker, author of "Protecting the Gift," recommends a two-pronged approach to this problem. Install one of many Internet filter programs on your computer. These simply prevent many sites with questionable content from being accessed by users you designate. Second, check your child's browsing history regularly and discuss what he has looked at. DeBecker recommends making these conversations about information and damage control, not about punishing your child for exploring.
Predators
FBI child safety recommendations remind us that some predators use the Internet to meet and lure away child victims. Remind your child to never give out identifying information in an Internet chat room, instant message or email, and to get permission before sending a photo of herself to anybody. Be sure that you accompany your child on any first meeting with a friend met over the Internet, and that they never visit or invite over an Internet friend without your permission.
Personal Information
Predators and identity thieves both solicit personal information from children on the Web, says the FBI. Train your child to never give out her real name, school name, phone numbers, address or any other personal information over the Internet. If you child wants to buy something, you should make the purchase after checking the online vendor for legitimacy.
Communication
DeBecker notes that the key to Internet safety is, like all other safety concepts, communicating with your child. The more comfortable your child feels about talking with you, the more likely he is to keep you informed about what he does online. Build rapport through frequent conversations and earn trust by maintaining perspective about things that bother or frighten you. Once your child knows he can count on you for advice without judgment, he will share what really goes on in his life.
References
- Josh Rochester; Owner, Radiant Tiger Services; Hillsboro, OR
- "Protecting the Gift"; Gavin De Becker; 2004
- FBI.gov: Safety Tips: Internet Safety
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