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Internet Safety
Protect Your Children from the Internet's Seamy Side By Pamela Dillon
- Stay completely out of chat rooms.
- Do not reply to unknown addresses, or flames (written attacks).
- Do not give out personal information.
- Never share password, even with friends.
- Never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone you meet online.
- Don't believe everything you read online.
- Do tell a parent if something online makes you uncomfortable.
- Make use of available controls on their current ISP.
- Make sure computers are out in the open where family members gather.
- Know what sites your children are visiting; stay involved.
- Let children know which sites are appropriate, and which are off-limits.
According to the NCPCF, paying attention to your child's online habits should lower the risk of exposure. It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the following red flags (that could indicate a problem).
- Your child spends large amounts of time online, especially at night.
- You find pornography on your child's computer.
- Your child sends and receives calls from unrecognizable numbers.
- Your child receives mail or packages from someone you don't know.
- Your child turns monitor off or changes screen quickly when you walk in the room.
- Your child becomes withdrawn from the family.
- Your child is using someone else's online account.
Other reliable sources of information include searching the Web on phrases like "child safety" and "Internet filters." Parents can also visit their local library and school board to find out what type of Internet safety precautions they have in place. Another good source is the Community Affairs division of your local police department.
Samad admonishes the 96 percent of parents with online access who don't bother with Internet safety controls. "Parents, you wouldn't let your children play in the neighborhood junkyard, so why would you allow them access to the Internet junkyards without protection?