Back in a more innocent time, this public service announcement was broadcast throughout America’s living rooms on a nightly basis. While it is still a good question to ask even today, a more pressing question is “It’s anytime, do you know what your child is doing online?”
Technology is everywhere, and while it has done so much good in the world, there are also just as many (if not more) downsides. How many times have you joked about technology making your life “easier”? In many ways it has, but it also has given children and adolescents access to information well beyond their maturity level and emotional capabilities. You might not be able to be everywhere at all times, but with your child and his laptop/cell phone they can be!
The very idea that a minor can be everywhere always is pretty frightening and overwhelming, but there are some simple things parents can do to help minimize any potential damage:
Technology is everywhere, and while it has done so much good in the world, there are also just as many (if not more) downsides. How many times have you joked about technology making your life “easier”? In many ways it has, but it also has given children and adolescents access to information well beyond their maturity level and emotional capabilities. You might not be able to be everywhere at all times, but with your child and his laptop/cell phone they can be!
The very idea that a minor can be everywhere always is pretty frightening and overwhelming, but there are some simple things parents can do to help minimize any potential damage:
- Education: You have to know about the things and ways children are accessing the web. Know if your child’s cell phone is internet capable (and remove the service at the provider level if you don’t want them to be able to use it). Know if they are on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Livejournal, Second Life, etc. For a list of major active social networking sites, click here. Know how to use those sites if your child is on them.
- Communication: Talk to your children openly, honestly, and often about how much time they are spend online and where they are going while they are there. Sit down with your child and review his/her page(s) and those of their friends. Discuss any questionable or problematic content immediately. Keep in mind that children and adolescents tend to be very trusting and open up easily online. Often times, they do not understand that something they post online is there for the entire world to see and future colleges, employers etc. may be looking into their “internet personality”. Talk to other parents to see if they are monitoring their child online (that old adage about safety in numbers is true).
- Prevention: Come up with ground rules for internet usage. Keep the computers out in the open, by merely being able to see what is going on you can prevent a lot of nefarious activities. Avoid webcams, especially if the computer is kept behind close doors (this avoids the temptation to easily post pictures they may regret deeply later in life). Fill up your computer with the latest internet security tools and make sure you keep up to date on virus software.
NetSmartz
WiredSafety
ProtectKids
Feel free to contact me at anytime if you want to talk more about parenting and internet safety!
Best,
Amanda
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