Guidelines for making children’s online experience safer
David Ma Editorial Intern
The Internet is a valuable resource that enables families tokeep up on current events, research information, listen to music,and e-mail friends and family. However, this helpful tool alsocan be a danger to children and teenagers.
Identity theft, predators, "cyberbullies," and offensive orinappropriate material is readily found on the Web and can beharmful to children who have not learned how to avoid thesedangers. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendsparents take the following steps to make their child’sonline experience safer:
Surf the Web with your children, especially those under theage of 10.
Put the computer in a central area like the denor kitchen tomake it easier to monitor online activities. Computersshouldnever be placed in a room where a door can be closedor a parentexcluded.
Use tracking software to monitor whatWeb sites children arevisiting.
Visit sites that childrenand teenagers go to like MySpace,Club Penguin and Facebookand understand how they work.
Limit screen time to no morethan two hours a day, which includescomputer usage, televisionwatching and video game playing.The less children are online,the lower the risk of them comingacross dangerous material.
Parents also should set rules and guidelines for how their childrenare allowed to use the Internet such as:
Never give out personal information, including your name, address,phone number, age, race, school name or location.
Never sharepasswords, even with friends.
Never meet an online friendin person, unless a parent saysit’s OK and comes along.
Never respond to messages that make you feel uncomfortableorhurt your feelings.
Encourage your children to talk to you about any messages thatare mean or make them feel uncomfortable.
