Internet Filtering

Internet Safety Rules Do your kids follow them?

December 17th, 2008 | by admin |

If you are the parent of children that use the internet you certainly have some internet safety rules that you have shared with them. You wouldn’t let them play outside without rules about crossing the street, talking to strangers and how far away they can go. Similar rules apply to the internet.  Do your children know the internet safety rules you have set? Do you know how well your kids follow them?

It is vital that your kids follow the internet safety rules that you lay down for them. This is a health and safety issue for your child. They could be more at risk than you think. There are consequences for a kids if the don’t clean their rooms, but the consequences for not following your rules for internet safety could be much more severe.  Internet predators are seeking children every day. They have ways of talking your child into becoming a target, by unintentionally giving peices of personal information away .

You should set a time with your child on occasion to ensure that they understand the rules and why they are in place. Be as specific as you can. Which websites should they use? What information is ok and what is not? Which pictures are ok to post where? such as if they use a social networking website. You should make very clear what should and should not be posted on their internet profiles. Have them repeat the rules to you in order to ensure they understand them. Open discussion is always the best option.

Let them know what the consequencs will be for breaking the internet safety rules. If you suspect your child is being contacted by strangers online that could potentially be sexual predators, stop internet access all together and get advice from your local law inforcement.

The next step could be the banning of internet use for the child for a time. This consequence send a clear message to your child. There often is a need for students to use the internet for school projects. A parent could be present and monitoring the use, or an Internet filter could be installed. Some Internet Filters come with Internet monitoring too. This is a one two puch that will help the child fight the temptaion to break the internet safety rules. The best internet filter won’t slow you down or be too much of a hassle to use.

In many cases over the last decade this has been “a life or death” situation. Nobody thinks the worst will happen to their children, but it has happened over and over again.    Don’t let your child become a statistic. Discuss proper use of the internet with you kids and, install a good internet filter today.