As most people know, the internet can be an amazing
resource and provide hours of fun for kids, but there is a side
to the internet that can be worrying for any parent. Parenting
in the age of the Internet has you facing a new set of
challenges, so internet security for your child is essential.
Sites such as Facebook or Myspace are becoming increasingly
popular for people of all ages. As time goes on and
technology becomes more advanced, younger generations
become interested in socializing online more and more.
Although these kinds of sites are
fantastic for networking or catching
up with old friends, does the younger
generation necessarily need them?
The first thing parents should do in a situation when their
children ask for the likes of a Facebook is consider the
minimum age requirement. The Facebook minimum age
requirement is 13. What message does it send if a parent is
willing to violate Facebook’s terms of use, and is this an issue
to hold the line on in terms of the family’s values?
Unless under adult supervision, children have to be extremely
careful when using chat rooms or networking forums. There
are some general guidelines that should be followed to
ensure children’s safety.
A child should always stay anonymous, never reveal your real
name, and always use a nickname.
They should never reveal their school/address.
A child should never agree to meet someone without the
presence of an adult.
If somebody say or does something that make s a child
uncomfortable, they should report to a parent/guardian.
If you choose to allow your child to have a Facebook, make
sure they only ‘add friends’ – ensure they do not make contact
with strangers.
When it comes to uploading images on these sites, make
sure as a parent/guardian you have checked if they are
appropriate.
It is recommended to supervise your children until they are
age 10. You can use internet safety tools to limit access to
content, websites, and activities, and be actively involved in
your child’s internet use. A simple thing like ensuring your
child stays in the same room as you as they use the computer
allows you to gage their activities.
Teens are often very confident about their use of the internet,
but still, parents need to remind them of appropriate safety
guidelines. Parents should be available to help their teens
understand inappropriate messages and avoid unsafe
situations. It’s a good idea for parents to remind teens what
personal information should not be given over the internet.
It is fairly simple to guard against unsuitable images; there
is software available which can prevent your children from
going to websites with inappropriate content. Also when they
are searching the internet another measure is for them to use
the safe search facility available on most good search engines.
Install a ‘spam protector’ from an email provider or even better; use specialised
software that restricts access to certain types of emails and images.
Internet security and email filter software programs should be
installed to keep your child safe.
Research by Aimee Benmayor
