1. |
NEVER give out your name, address, telephone number or picture.
NEVER agree to meet someone you met online without your parents approval. |
2. |
REMEMBER you are speaking in a public area
other people may read what you write. |
3. |
REFUSE to enter a private chat room.
These rooms are closed off to the public and your child may be lured in by
an adult trying to seduce them. |
4. |
Encourage them to TELL you what goes on.
Just as you would monitor who they spend time with after school or what TV
programs they watch you want them to feel comfortable telling you about
their online friends. |
5. |
LIMIT the amount of time they spend online.
While talking with friends about sports, fashion or other interests may be
fun it is not wholly productive for children to spend hours online
chatting. It is also more likely that they will investigate sites or
forums that are unsuitable for children. Curiosity may lure them in over
their heads. |
6. |
Have the computer in a PUBLIC area of the home.
This will protect your children more than any software program. Check on
them occasionally just to see what they are doing. |
7. |
INFORM them about Spam
and other email that looks suspicious. If they are not sure tell them to
ask you before opening it. |
8. |
Tell them
never to engage in FLAMING. Flaming is an attack on another
person who is posting. It is both emotional and uncontrolled often due
to the power of anonymity that exists online. Children have been bullied by other children
from school or elsewhere (called cyber bullying) and it can be devastating. Remind
your child to show manners to others and be careful how they respond. |
9. |
Check the HISTORY
of their online surfing if you are concerned. It is good to let your child
know that you will occasionally check this out as a protection for them. |
10. |
Use a POP-UP BLOCKER.
Sometimes windows open up that advertise pornography or other disturbing
images. Make sure you use a pop-up blocking program to protect yourself
and your family from this unwelcome exposure. |
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Internet Filtering
Net Nanny can block not only
pornography, but hate sites,
questionable chat rooms and other
dangers of the Internet. You can
configure Net Nanny to block online game
and gambling sites, and even make it so
your children can only install and play
computer games with parental ratings
that you deem appropriate.
Net
Nanny even offers a simple, easy to use
set-up assistant to help parents
determine what online activities (Web
sites, chat, gaming and social
networks) are appropriate based on
your family members age. |
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