The Internet can be a wonderful research tool and an educational resource for school-age children. However, there are many Web sites that kids should be prohibited from visiting and certain activities they should avoid. Following are 10 tips, developed by experts, to help keep children safe online.
1. Remove computers from your children's bedrooms or any other places where the Internet can be accessed in private. Instead, put the computers in an open area like the family room or kitchen where you can supervise your kids' Internet activities.
2. Keep an eye on the Web sites your kids visit and don't be afraid to read their e-mail.
3. Use parental control software to filter Web and chat-room content.
4. Learn what safety methods are used to protect your children at the other places they might use computers, such as their school, local library, friends' homes, relatives' homes, etc.
5. Make sure your children know how important it is to be anonymous on the Internet. They should never give out personal or private information of any kind.
6. Remind your kids how dangerous it is to have a real-life face-to-face meeting with someone they met on the Internet.
7. If you or your relatives have a personal Web site, do not put photos of your children on it.
8. Consider creating household rules governing when your children can use the Internet and what they are allowed to do online.
9. Remind your kids that not everything they read online is true. Many Web sites created by "average Joes" contain gossip, rumors, misleading information or outright lies.
10. Let your children know that Internet advertisements that seem too good to be true-such as those offering free iPod music players or other free products-are usually a trick of some kind.
These tips come from the free publication "A Parents' Guide to Internet Safety" developed by Geeks On Call-a national company providing on-site computer services. The Parents' Guide is part of an educational program called "Kids Club" created by Geeks On Call to teach children and parents about Internet safety and to donate money to local schools. The other segments of Kids Club include a student workshop, a technology night for parents, and a school donation program.
Author: Stacey Moore
Author Bio:
Products that earn the ENERGY STAR prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. EPA and DOE. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov. Using energy efficiently at home can be as easy as changing a light bulb.
