Are you the parent of a child or teenager who uses the internet?  As much as we would all like to believe that are children are safe when using the internet, there are certain situations that may, unfortunately, arise.  It is important to remember that most children use the internet to communicate with their friends or to make new friends, not just to do research for school projects.  If your child finds themselves in trouble online and comes to you, do you know what you can or should do?

As it was previously stated, numerous situations can develop online that have the potential to be dangerous.  One of those situations is when personal information is exchanged with a stranger.  Has your child recently given away your phone number, address, or their email address to someone who they don’t really know? 

If so, be sure to change as much information as possible.  This may involve changing your home phone number or your child’s cell phone number or email address.  Be sure to take additional safety steps, such as always being aware of your surroundings, locking your home and car, and you may also want to contact your local authorities.  Be sure to talk to your child about the dangers of exchanging personal information online. 

In keeping with exchanging personal information online, your child may end up talking to an adult, thinking that they are another teenager or close to their age.  If that is the case, your child is likely dealing with an internet predator, who can be old enough to be a parent or a grandparent. 

If your child has made contact, intentionally or unintentionally, with an older person online, has any personal information been exchanged?  If so, change that information, like your child’s email address, cell phone, or even if your home phone number.  Make sure that the contact stops immediately.  Contact the authorities, school officials, and make sure that all family members know.  Get as much information you can about the real person behind the computer.  The police may be able to help you do so.

Many high school and junior high school students use social networking websites, like MySpace.  Unfortunately, many also mistakenly believe that it is a good idea to try to look “cool,” online and at any cost.  Your child may post pictures or videos of themselves online doing illegal activities, like smoking or drinking underage, stealing, or doing drugs. 

If this is something that your child has done, be sure to remove the pictures or videos right away.  If your child’s pictures or videos have been viewed by school officials or authorities, they may be facing punishment.  A lawyer should be called if your child is arrested.  If your child is suspended from school or extra curricular activities, speak to school officials.  What can be done by both you, the parent, and your child?
 
Online harassment is another common problem that children, namely junior high school and high school students face.  This harassment can be done by a complete stranger, an online friend, or a friend right at school.  When friends have a falling out or even just a simple disagreement, many turn to the internet to seek revenge, as it is easy to hide behind a computer.

If your child finds themselves a victim of online harassment, the authorities should be contacted.  This is particularly important if your child does not actually know, in person, the individual who is making threats or spreading harmful rumors.  If the individual doing so is a former friend or another individual at school, there are a number of steps that you can take.  If you know the child and their parents, consider arranging a meeting, but be cautious and use your best judgment.  Alternatives involve contacting the authorities or the school.

As you can see, there are a number of troubling and potentially dangerous situations that your child can find themselves in online.  Just make sure that you, as the parent, take steps to help and protect your child.

Article Written By J. Foley

Technorati Tags: General, online child safety

Is your child or teenager interested in meeting new people online?  At this age, they aren’t very likely to meet the person in real life, but communicate through way of the internet instead.  As nice as this sounds, it is important to remember that it can still be dangerous.  Just because your child is talking to someone who claims to be another teenager, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are.  

Since it is relatively easy for false identities to be created online, especially for internet and child predators, you will want to set strict rules if you intend to let your child use online message boards and internet chat rooms to do this communicating.  As for what you rules you should set, it will honestly depend on your child’s age.  Teenagers may have a little bit more freedom, but still don’t let them use online chat rooms, online message boards, or the internet in general without at least a few rules.

One of the many rules that you may want to impose, concerning internet chat rooms and online message boards is approval.  Instead of letting your child pick which websites they want to visit, you can do so for them.  Favorite place the approved message boards and online chat rooms so that your child can easily find them.

As for how you can find safe chat rooms and message boards for your child to use, you will want to get started with a standard internet search.  Closely examine all of the websites that appear on your screen.  Are private messages allowed?  Most chat rooms and message boards for kids have them disabled, as this is how many internet predators target children.  Also, look for moderated forums and chat rooms, as this means that all content is reviewed by an adult.

You may also want to set rules as to when your child can use an online message board or an internet chat room.  For example, only allow your child to communicate and socialize online when you are at home or even in the same room.  This internet safety for kids step works pretty well, especially for teenagers.  They are less likely to have adult conversations, share personal information, or exchange pictures or videos when you are in the same room or when they know that they are being watched.

It is also a good idea to limit the amount of time that your child can use online message boards or internet chat rooms.  It often takes internet predators more than one discussion to gain the trust of a child target.  For that reason, you will want to be cautious if your child signs onto the internet at the same time everyday.  Ask your child if they can wait until later or start using the internet earlier.  If they can’t or don’t want to, they may be meeting someone online to talk directly to.  That is why it is always a good idea to limit when your child can use online message boards and chat rooms and for how long.

You should prohibit your child from posting pictures or videos of themselves online, as this makes them an easy target.  If your child wants to post a picture, have them pick out a generic picture online, of like a football or a flower.  Also, do not let your child exchange personal information online.  Remember that they are not the only ones in danger if your child gives away your address or phone number, as the rest of your family may end up in danger as well.

Article Written By J. Foley

Technorati Tags: General, Internet Safety for Kids, parental controls