The good news about the
Internet is also the bad news ... anyone
can publish to the Internet. Technology gives
us immediate communication with family and friends,
the ability to "visit" places about which we once
only dreamed, a change to research topics which use
to require a trip to the library and send photos to
grandparents from any vacation destination.
The same technology gives us the ability to
communicate with potential predators, visit sites
to which one would not dream of sending his or her
child, explore topics with no regard for age
appropriateness and send photos to strangers.
How many hours does your
child spend on the Internet? Consider taking
these steps recommended by
ikeepsafe.org,
netsafekids.com and many others including the
FBI.
Establish rules,
even contracts, for using the Internet.
- How long and under what circumstances can your
child use the Internet?
- What content is allowed? Off-limits?
- What kind of messaging is permitted?
E-mail, instant messaging, chat rooms, blogs,
wikis?
- What happens if the rules are broken?
Teach your child
important safety guidelines such as:
- Keep personal information protected.
Never give your real name, address, phone
number, birth date, the name of your school, or
a picture of yourself to anyone you meet online.
- Do not meet in person with anyone you have met
on the Internet.
- Tell a parent, teacher, or trusted adult if
you feel uncomfortable about anything
you see on a computer.
Keep the
computer in a common room in the house and
position the monitor so it is available for
public viewing.
Use blocking
software and filtering programs, but do not rely
on them as your only
line of defense. (ContentProtect,
CYBERsitter and NetNanny).
Predators often
use chat rooms to contact children. Teach
children that people online are not always who
they say they are.
If you want to read
more about Internet safety visit:
netsmartz.org -
Source of Internet safety pledge (sample
contract).
safeteens.com -
Designed to inform teens and their parents about
Internet safety.
cybertipline.com
- Place to report messages your child receives
that are indecent, lewd, and obscene with to
annoy, harass or threaten.
wiredkids.org -
Online safety games for younger children and
information for children of all ages as well as
helpful information for teachers, parents and
law enforcement officers.
Beginning with the
2006-2007 school year, Bristol Virginia Public
Schools will offer a mandatory Internet safety
course for all students as well as additional
opportunities for parents.
