| The ability to keep your child safe while they research | | | | Nowadays kids pass around their MSN or Yahoo etc |
| or play online is one of the major concerns facing | | | | IDs as much as they do phone numbers, make sure |
| parents these days. So many parents are reluctant to | | | | they understand they should never accept instant |
| let their children use the internet, even with all its | | | | messages from strangers and should never give their |
| advantages concerning schoolwork, for fear that they'll | | | | personal information online to anyone. Stranger Danger |
| come in contact with an online predator of one sort or | | | | for the internet should be part of their everyday |
| another; and while those fears are not groundless, | | | | teaching much as it is for real life situations, so make |
| there are some steps you can take to minimise the | | | | sure they understand the consequences of what could |
| risk. | | | | happen when talking to strangers online. |
| The first and easiest is monitoring your child's activities | | | | Do not let them sign up to any sites until you can verify |
| by being nearby while they are online. If they have a | | | | it, and if they need their own email address, if possible, |
| computer in their bedroom, do not let them have | | | | make sure you can have access to it and that you |
| internet access if there is a chance they will connect | | | | have a spam blocker of some sort. |
| to the internet when you are not available to watch | | | | If your child is going to be accessing the internet often |
| them. Restrict the amount of time they can spend | | | | it is well worth looking into some of the programs |
| online to only participating in certain activities eg. | | | | available now. Most will allow you to block certain |
| homework, playing safe online games or keeping in | | | | domains by entering names or keywords, some will |
| touch with their friends. | | | | allow you to keep track of all online chatting your child |
| If you do leave your child unattended while they surf or | | | | is involved in and limit their time online, while others will |
| research online, remember that you can check your | | | | restrict any file sharing, sending of personal information, |
| browser's history to see what sites they have visited, | | | | log all emails sent and received, and some will offer all |
| if something seems untoward follow up on it and | | | | the above and more. The best thing to do is to |
| speak to your child about it. Ensure you have a pop-up | | | | research all the types available to you; many will give |
| blocker installed; unfortunately there are some sites | | | | you a free trial period, and decide which is the most |
| that are indiscriminate in what pop-ups they'll allow and | | | | suitable to you. |
| while there is a slim chance the pop-up will show | | | | When used wisely and safely the internet can be a |
| something you don't want your child to see, they can | | | | wonderful resource for your child's learning. |
| also prove distracting when your child is supposed to | | | | V Brown is the mother of three young children. |
| be researching their homework. | | | | |