Online Safety for Children

Before you let your children surf the net alone, it is crucial that you set rules, and then it is up to you, as a parent, to keep an eye on what your children are doing online. Here are a few safety tips to help you make sure your children stay safe on the Internet:

• Learn how the Internet works. The best way to find out how your children are using the Internet is to get interested and surf with them.
• Encourage your children to tell you about their online experiences the same way they tell you about what they do with their friends in the non-virtual world.
• Establish a set of family Internet rules and talk to your children about the dangers they may be exposed to, such as pedophilia.
• Remind your children that they must never reveal personal information without your permission (name, address, phone, etc.).
• Explain that they must never agree to meet an online friend in person.
• Encourage your children to use nicknames that don't reveal any identifying information (gender, age, etc.).
• Put the computer in a room that is accessible to the entire family, so your children will not be surfing alone. Don't put a computer in your child's bedroom.
• Supervise your children's online activities. For example, you can pre-select websites of interest, review the browsing history, check whether the webcam is being used, monitor your children's access to electronic communications (chat, email, messaging), and install a parental control filter.