The
internet can be an amazing tool. We use it every day like second nature. Need a
good chili recipe? Google… Need to know a synonym for “hyperbole”…Google.
Need a funny cat picture to brighten your day…Google. It’s truly a new
world where everything you want to learn about is a keystroke away. But what
about our kids? Adults know all too easy how dangerous the internet can be.
Google a misspelled word in an image search and there’s no telling what’s going
to pop up on your screen before you can cover your eyes. Or how do we know that
player number 2 named “TimmyLovesLegos” on your son’s online game is really a 9
year old little boy?
Right now is an amazing time to be alive but it can also be
a scary time if we, as parents and grandparents, don’t know how to guide our
children in a world that’s going deeper and deeper digital. I’ve pulled
together some great tips to help us keep our youth safe online but this is only
scratching the surface so I’ve included a few informative links:
- Have an open conversation with your kids about safe
browsing and computer use. With freedom comes responsibility.
- Tell your child/grandchild to never reveal personal
information, such as address, phone number, or school name or location.
Use only a screen name. Never agree to meet anyone from a chat room or
social media site in person.
- Do not replace parental or teacher supervision of
computer use at home or at school with our safe search engine or any other. No search filtering software or tool is perfect.
- Do not allow internet use after you’ve gone to bed at
night no matter how good your computer security software is or how
confident you are in kids search engines.
- Share an email or social media account with your
child so you can monitor messages.
- Spend time online together to teach your kids
appropriate online behavior.
- Forbid your child from entering private forums; block
them with safety features provided by your Internet service provider or
with special filtering s
- Take your child seriously if he or she reports an
uncomfortable online exchange.
The
internet has been a boon and a curse for teenagers. ~J. K. Rowling
Thank you,
Wenona Mertens
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