Tips of Keeping Your Children Safe Online
By Sharon Housley
Parents are constantly struggling with ways
to keep their children safe online. The Internet has a global
reach and at this point no bounds, or limitations. Outside
of installing filtering software children should be educated
in order to protect themselves to this virtual monster.
We've put together a collection of ten tips that should
be observed while surfing online. At the very least these
tips will prompt family discussions regarding safety.
1.) When on the internet personal
information should be kept private. Just because someone
asks doesn't mean you need to tell them. When someone asks
for personal information, consider how they might use that
information and whether it is necessary for them to have
it.
2.) If you are conversing with someone
online, don't assume that they are being honest with you.
Just because they say they're 16 doesn't mean they are.
3.) Do not release your password to
anyone, even if they say they are from your online provider.
4.) Overall it is best not to respond
to unsolicited e-mail (SPAM), if there is something flagrant
or inappropriate in the e-mail, consider reporting the sender
to their Internet Service Provider (ISP).
5.) Do not give out or post identifying
information, including address or telephone numbers.
6.) You may want to create a nickname
for a screen name in chat rooms.
7.) Keep in mind when posting in chat
rooms or newsgroups, that there may be lurkers (people who
read but do not post). Your information can be read and
seen by all.
8.) Keep an open dialogue with children
surfing the Internet, remember if they come to you with
a problem, your first reaction should not be to take away
the Internet. Applaud child's confidence in confiding in
you and work together to find a solution.
9.) Overall it is not a good idea
to post or exchange pictures over the Internet
10.) Try to keep in mind the Internet
is global and is *not* governed by any entity. This means
that there are no limitations or checks on the information
posted and accessible to Internet users.
Additional Resources: The following resources
will assist in staying safe online.
Collection of Internet Access and Filtering
Software - http://www.monitoring-software.net/access-monitoring.htm
Contract for Safe Surfing - http://www.911paging.com/internetsafety/internetcontract.htm
About the Author -
Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc. http://www.notepage.net
a company specializing in alphanumeric paging, SMS and wireless
messaging software solutions. Other sites by Sharon can
be found at http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com
, and http://www.small-business-software.net
