Do you remember that commercial "It's 9 o'clock, do you know where your kids are?" Well with the Internet, this has taken on a whole new meaning. Here are some suggestions to help you keep your kids safe while they enjoy all the benefits of the internet.
- The best protection your kids have is YOU. If you can, have your kids use the internet in a common room such as your living room and have your kids show you their favorite sites and activities.
- Teach your kids not to use their full names or give out their addresses, school name or team sport names in chatrooms. That 12 year old who has struck up a friendship with them may not be 12 after all.
- Talk to your kids about online friendship and ensure that they keep up their "real life" friendships.
- Tell your kids that it is okay to stop any online chat that makes them feel uncomfortable and that sexual chat is inappropriate.
- Explain to your kids that meeting someone they met online is risky. Tell them that you will gladly accompany them to meet a online friend in a public place and if it looks okay to you, you will leave and pick them up after a short time.