Do you know how to keep your kids safe online? Ask yourself these question.
- Do you know what web sites they are going to?
- Do you know if they are chatting and if so, with who?
- Are your kids on social networks like
Facebook , or MySpace? - Are your kids exchanging photos or videos, and what is the content of the material?
- Do you have the ability to fully monitor there online activities?
- Can you control the sites they can get to, the programs that can be launched.
- Do you set time limits for computer access?
Each year thousands of kids become victims of online predators. But if you don't think this could happen to your child, think again.
Predators establish contact with kids through conversations in chat rooms, instant messaging, e-mail, or discussion boards. Many teens use peer support online forums to deal with their problems. Predators often go to these online areas to look for vulnerable victims.
Online predators try to gradually seduce their targets through attention, affection, kindness, and even gifts, and often devote considerable time, money, and energy to this effort. They're aware of the latest music and hobbies likely to interest kids.
They listen to and sympathize with kids' problems. They also try to ease young people's inhibitions by gradually introducing sexual content into their conversations or by showing them sexually explicit material.
Some predators work faster than others, engaging in sexually explicit conversations immediately. This more direct approach may include harassment or stalking. Predators may also evaluate the kids they meet online for future face-to-face contact.
But as a parent you can protect your child. Here are some simple guidelines that can keep your child save online.
How can parents minimize the risk of a child becoming a victim?
- Talk to your kids about sexual predators and potential online dangers.
- Use parental control software that’s built into new operating systems like Windows Vista or that you can download for free like Windows Live Family Safety Settings.
- Insist that your kids follow age limits on social networking Web sites. The recommended age for signing up for social networking sites like Windows Live Spaces or MySpace is usually 13 and over. If your children are under the recommended age for these sites, do not let them use the sites.
- Young children should not use chat rooms—the dangers are too great. As children get older, direct them towards well-monitored kids' chat rooms. Encourage even your teens to use monitored chat rooms.
- If your children take part in chat rooms, make sure you know which ones they visit and with whom they talk. Monitor the chat areas yourself to see what kind of conversations take place.
- Instruct your children to never leave the chat room's public area. Many chat rooms offer private areas where users can have one-on-one chats with other users—chat monitors can't read these conversations. These are often referred to as "whisper" areas.
- Keep the Internet-connected computer in a common area of the house, never in a child's bedroom. It is much more difficult for a predator to establish a relationship with your child if the computer screen is easily visible. Even when the computer is in a public area of your home, sit with your child when they are online.
- When your children are young, they should share the family e-mail address rather than have their own e-mail accounts. As they get older, you can ask your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to set up a separate e-mail address, but your children's mail can still reside in your account.
- Tell your children to never respond to instant messaging or e-mails from strangers. If your children use computers in places outside your supervision—public library, school, or friends' homes—find out what computer safeguards are used.
- If all precautions fail and your kids do meet an online predator, don't blame them. The offender always bears full responsibility. Take decisive action to stop your child from any further contact with this person.
For more information check our these web sites:
Online Predators, Help Minimize the Risks - Microsoft
Age-based guidelines for kids' Internet use - Microsoft
10 things you can teach kids to improve their Web safety
Using family contracts to help protect your kids online
Monitoring your child's online activity.
Is it ethical to use software to monitor your child's online activity? Yes. It is your job to keep them safe. But be fair and treat your child with respect. Let them know that their computer contains software to monitor their activities. Let them know the types of things being monitored, and don't be afraid to remove there PC if they are not following your guidelines. You would rather have a child who thinks you are being unfair and resents you for the time being, then a child who is a victim of a predator. Here are some tools for monitoring your child's activities. Please note, I do not endorse or recommend any products. You should take the time to research these for yourself and determine what will best fit your needs. The important thing is that you do use something.
Spector Pro captures and organizes ACTUAL Emails (SMTP and web-based services such as Hotmail), Chat Conversations, and Instant Messages and includes the best Keystroke Logger available anywhere! PLUS - built in intelligence will examine and analyze all PC activity to determine if you should be NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY.
Norton Online Family - From
OnlineFamily.Norton gives you the tools to manage where they go, how long they are online, who they talk to, and what information they're sharing with others. Best of all, it helps you open up a positive dialogue with your children about good online habits.
There are many other monitoring programs out there. You should take the time to research all of them before choosing which one is right for you. For a complete review of 10 of the top computer monitoring programs, check out:
Top Ten Reviews: Monitoring Software - This site is independent of NortShoreDad.com, and NorthShoreDad.com is not responsible for the content of this site.
Additional Info...
For additional information on internet predators and how you can protect your child download these publications. You will need Adobe Acrobat to view them.
Online safety tips for Parents - Oprah
Child Preditors on the Internet - Oprah
Blocking Child Predators - Oprah
Alicias Cautionary Tale - Oprah
Legal Note: NorthShoreDad.com or Brian Dann does not have any connection or affiliation with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children or any other company or organization. All information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and must be used and evaluated at your own risk. No technical support will be provided for any software mentioned on this site and NorthShoreDad.com or Brian Dann will not be held responsible for any issues related to any information or software discussed on this site. NorthShoreDad.com or Brian Dann does not endorse or recommend any products or companies mentioned on this site.
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