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1. Talk to them. Most youngsters are unaware of how to protect themselves from online dangers. They think of the Internet as a friendly place where they can e-mail their friends and look up information for their homework. Children need specific information and well-articulated guidelines so they know what to do if they do find themselves in a questionable situation.
2. Use software and parental control features. A number of Internets providers give parents the option to control what their children do online. Auxiliary software programs also are available if you didn’t get one from your ISP. The software allows you to block out websites, chat rooms and newsgroup access.
3. Teach them to just say no. Teach your children to say no to instant messages from strangers. Teach them not to open e-mails from people they don’t know. Teach them not to follow links to websites if they don’t know what’s on the other end of the link.
4. Don’t send your children out on the Internet alone. Spending time navigating the information superhighway together is a good way for parents to connect with their children’s world and learn more about their interests. While you’re out there with them you can teach them how to avoid dangerous situations.
5. Don’t let them password protect their email and screen names. It’s one thing to deny your children access to your computer files. But you should always know what websites and chat rooms your children are visiting and who is sending them e-mail.
6. Don’t let them give out a password. Some unscrupulous individuals harvest e-mail addresses in chat rooms designed for adolescent children. They write to those children telling them that they have won a contest and ask for their passwords. They then log onto the children’s email accounts and use them to disseminate pornography or solicit money through illegal schemes. Your child’s e-mail address is the first place authorities look for answers about the illegal activity.
7. Don’t let them give out their name, address or any personal information. This may seem obvious, but children frequently tell people their names or what town they live in without thinking.
8. Keep an eye on them. Online relationships develop quickly. Websites can be accessed with the click of a mouse. It’s a bad idea to let your child spend unsupervised hours on the Internet until you are absolutely sure they know how to protect themselves. Even then, it’s a good idea to check on what they’re doing.
9. Teach them to never agree to a face-to-face meeting with someone that they met online. Teach them to tell you immediately if someone suggests a meeting or asks for their telephone number.
10. Remember rule number one. Talk to your kids about what they’re doing and whom they’re meeting online. And make sure they know they can always talk to you too.
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