Protect Your Child Online

The Internet is a very powerful tool. Previously the web was a huge archive of information but now its changed a lot. The web is no longer about just information and knowledge its about people. Previously chat rooms were reserved for super geeks and guys with special interests but sites like Bebo and Facebook have made it cool to have web buddies. 

 

In many ways this trend is a good thing it allows kids to interact with their friends from all around the country in a safe and fun way. However some times things are very diffrent. Now the web is becoming a true social medium it is bringing onto itself some of the more sinister aspects of our society, problems such as predatory adults and bullies people who look for vulnerable people to take advantage of.

 

As the web now begins to mimic society as a whole parents as they do in normal society are beginning to try and think of ways that they can protect their children online. Sometimes parents take severe actions when they worry about their children, actions such as banning the child from using the Internet or severely restricting access. It my point of view that this is like keeping your child locked indoors all day and never allowed out to play. It’s not good for kids not to interact and can effect social skills. At the other end of the scale there are moms and dads who allow their children to do whatever they like, sometimes this works out ok but a lot of the times it doesn’t. The secret is a good balance but how can you achieve this on the Internet?

 

In order too allow you children the freedom they need to explore and learn on the Internet there are a few simple steps you can follow. The first and probably most importance of these steps is to talk to your child about the dangers of the Internet and take an interest in what they do, try not to lecture your children or interrogate them just be interested in them and their online friends. Try and work with your kids to draw up a list of Internet usage rules and post these next to the computer. Think carefully about where you computer is located be sure other people can see the screen.

 

Once you have taken these basic steps if you are still not comfortable with your child using the Internet there are a couple of other measures you can take. Free adult content filters can be downloaded but these wont prevent bullies and predators. The second thing you can do is download software to monitor and protect your children online. Software like this will record all your kids’ online activity including MSN conversations and activities on Facebook. There will be a cost to getting this software but it will let you monitor your child’s online activities without them ever knowing. The software can act like an invisible safety net to your other measures of protection. 

 

In Summary try not to overreact to the potential dangers of the net there are many good things out their and the Internet can be a very useful tool to helping you child’s academic and social education but also keep in mind there are risk and you need to remain ever on your guard in order to effectively protect your children online.