Protecting your kids online is something that your parents probably didn't have to worry about. This is simply part of life nowadays, so parents must think about it. There are lots of ways for your children to get online even if you don't have a home computer. This is why it's very important to learn a few basic principles about internet safety for children.
Your youngsters can have a safe and secure experience on the computer thanks to technology. By restricting access to certain areas, or using software that allows you to control what your kids can access online, you can rest more easily when you can't be looking over their shoulder. Net Nanny and Bsafe are just two of the many products that are available to help you manage the limitations your kids have when they are internet surfing. To give yourself every bit of comfort possible, you need to have a certain amount of charge on every computer in the home; having done this your will put your kids in a safer environment and can rest a little easier. You should take some control over how long they can surf the net. You can enforce this yourself, or you can get some help by using software that can restrict access to the computer in any way you decide. This technique should give you affirmative consequences. You can prevent your kids from going online at certain times when you might not be there to watch them. You can make sure that enough time is spent doing the important things, like homework and physical activity; instead of inordinate amounts of internet time. Surfing the web less can certainly lessen the risk of your child getting into a dangerous spot.
Instant messaging can pose one of the biggest dangers online for children. When you receive an IM, there is no way for you to know who the other person really is. This is a threat that can be stopped when you know the right safeguards for their protection. Whether your children have their own computer or use yours, instant messaging can be blocked by using the right software. Finding the right products is sometimes hard to do, but some will give you the option to approve friends, which then allows limited chatting. This is usually preferable to forbidding a child to IM at all, as this could make them feel deprived and want to do it behind your back (which, the truth be told, isn't that hard to do nowadays). The important point is that you should always be aware of who your child is chatting with online.
While there is danger for children to go online, the internet isn't a grave danger to everyone, but it still is a good idea to teach your children how to be protected. As long as possible predators are not given sensitive information, nor any encouragement by the children, there really is nothing for them to be too concerned about. It's your job as a parent to teach them these things and to watch over them to make sure they're following these rules.
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