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Are You Monitoring
Your
Child’s Internet Use?
Increased
reports of
children being abducted by sexual predators and online strangers may
leave
parents feeling helpless and alone. We wonder how we are going to keep
our
children safe with so much evil in the world. Fortunately, there are
some
simple steps you can take from the comfort of your own home in order to
keep
your children safe. One of the most important things you can do is set
a series
of rules for the use of the computer and then monitor the way your
children use
the Internet.
Start by explaining the
reasons you are setting Internet rules to your children. Sexual
predators and
online strangers use the Internet to search for young victims. They
feel that
young children and teenagers are emotionally vulnerable and will be
easy to
befriend. Make sure your children understand that these people do not
always
have the best intentions even though they seem like wonderful friends
at the
start.
List the rules you plan to
enforce, and stick to the list. Limit the amount of time your children
can
spend on the Internet to an hour or two daily, depending on their ages
and the
reasons they need to use the computer. The Internet should be used for
homework
and research, so set rules limiting the use of the Internet for social
purposes. This will significantly decrease the odds of your child
coming in
contact with or having conversations with sexual predators and online
strangers.
Be sure the computer is in a
place where you can physically monitor the activity of your children
while
online. You should be able to walk up behind your children and see what
is on
the computer screen at all times. Evasive and defensive behavior should
not be
tolerated. If you find your children will not let you see what they are
doing,
suspend their access to the Internet until they understand the rules.
Computer monitoring software
is a great tool for any parent who can’t be in the room with their
children at
all times. These software programs are designed to let you block
certain sites
and to monitor the sites your children do visit. Tell your children
about the
computer monitoring software installed on your computer. Letting them
know they
are being watched may be the deterrent they need to stay out of trouble. Monitoring your children
will give you a
better insight as to their ability to make informed choices both online
and
offline. Setting rules for the use of the Internet and monitoring the computers are wonderful ways to keep your children safe from harm. These tools also allow you to teach your children the difference between right and wrong and to monitor their abilities to make positive choices when you aren’t with them. Whatever you do, stick firmly to the rules and let your children know you are serious about their safety. If you enjoyed
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