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Protecting Your Child: Is
Your Home Safe?
Planes, trains and airplanes
crash on occasion. There are automobile accidents on the road
regularly. At
least two or three violent shootings, fires, or fights make their way
to the
news headlines on a daily basis. The amount of violence and danger in
the world
would lead one to believe it is safer to keep the kids at home and lock
the
doors – but is it?
Having a computer with
Internet access makes you home almost as dangerous as the outside
world. Taking
the proper safety precautions will ensure you and your children are
safe
Internet users. Educate yourself and communicate with your children.
Doing so
will make your home as safe as possible.
The Internet is a valuable
resource when used correctly. Unfortunately, there are thousands of
people who
will take advantage of the tools the Internet provides, such as instant
messaging programs and chat rooms. These web resources are valuable for
social
networking and for use in learning about other people and their
cultures, but
they can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Learning to protect your
self
through the proper use of Internet tools is of utmost importance.
Never give your personal
information to anyone you meet in a chat room or through instant
messaging
programs. Your first name and the state in which you live is more than
enough
information. Any other details, such as your town, the name of your
school, or
the name of your employer, will give any online predator or stranger
enough
information to find, stalk, or attack you. Make sure your children
understand
what information should be kept private and what information can be
shared.
In your mind, you should
treat any new online stranger as though he or she could be a predator.
Not
letting your guard down will keep you from getting too comfortable too
quickly.
Predators wait for vulnerable people to get comfortable so they can
start
prying for personal information or change the tone of the conversation.
Children are more likely to be emotionally vulnerable, making it very
easy for
predators to target younger children and teenagers.
Always have open
relationships with your children and keep the lines of communication
flowing at
all times. Your child should never want to turn towards anyone but you
for
support and help, even in a difficult or embarrassing situation. Having
close
relationships with your children will reduce the likelihood of them
turning to
strangers on the Internet and becoming victims.
While law enforcement
task
forces do as much as possible to keep your neighborhood safe, they can
not be
in your home to stand over the shoulders of you or your children. When
it comes
to safety, your first line of defense is in the home. Keep danger from
creeping
into your home by keeping online encounters to a minimum. You are the
first
person responsible for the safety of your self and your children. Take
the time
to assess any strange situations and demonstrate responsibly at all
times. Your
children will follow your lead!
If you enjoyed
this
article you should read:
Online Predators and Social Networking
Websites
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