Learning how to properly use the Internet ensures your child understands the dangers and benefits associated with surfing the Internet. Because your middle schooler is developing a sense of independence, it can be a challenge to strike a balance between being watchful and allowing your child to search the Internet on her own.
Place Computer in a Visible Location
Placing the computer in a shared location, such as a family room or den, allows you to best monitor when your child is on the Internet, according to Kids Health. If the computer is in your child's bedroom, you will not be able to monitor Internet activity sufficiently. Because your junior high student will likely have homework, you may wish to set times when your child can use the Internet, such as after homework is completed. Keeping the computer in a visible place ensures he can use it only when homework or other chores are completed.
Set Privacy and Safety Rules
Junior high students represent a growing demographic for social networking sites--an estimated 72 percent of teens have social networking profiles, according to Common Sense Media. If your junior high student does want to create a social networking profile, help her to set it up with a few ground rules. These include not giving out personal information, including school, age, phone number or addresses. Your child should not accept invitations from strangers and should always share her password with you--but no one else.
Discuss Potential Dangers
One of the dangers of the Internet is that a person could pose as a junior high student, yet not be in junior high and attempt to threaten your child. Discuss these dangers with your child and explain the importance of speaking only to friends or family members. Strangers could pose a danger, according to the FBI. Tell your teen that he can discuss anything with you, including if someone makes him feel uncomfortable online. Explain that if a person suggests meeting in person that he should tell you immediately and that this is a dangerous suggestion, according to the state of New Mexico.
Create Privacy Settings
There will be times when you will not be able to supervise your junior high student at the computer. For these times, creating privacy settings on social networking websites can help, according to the National Cyber Security Alliance. Install the latest programs that protect against viruses and spyware that could potentially crash a computer. You also can set parental control options on your child's browser that restrict questionable sites, according to Kids Health.
