Computer Bytes - No. 28 Bookmark this page !       Send this page to a friend!  " This is the first of two articles that will address Internet Safety for children. We will first look at potential risks and how you as a parent, grandparent or guardian can help to protect them by getting involved in their computer activity. Our second article will discuss how to implement safety measures on your home computer. The Internet is a wonderful tool for children to use in researching school reports, for communicating with teachers and students, and entertaining themselves with on-line games. However, any child that can type in a string of letters has total access to the world and all it takes is a simple 'typo' to send your child to a harmful website. One of the best ways to protect your child is for you to get involved. Spend time with your child online and make sure they understand correct and appropriate online behavior. Impress upon them how important it is not to give out sensitive information like phone numbers, home address, their name, etc. as this puts the whole family at risk. Talk to them about your concerns and keep an eye on their computer activities. Some recommended steps to achieve this are to become computer literate yourself and learn how to block certain materials. Don't let your child be alone with their computer, have it located in a common area where you can monitor your child while online. If they have an email account, insist on the password or better yet share an email account with them. Visit their favorite sites and bookmark them for future review. Do not allow your child to enter chat rooms - one of the favorite places for predators. Chat rooms are online sites where individuals or groups can communicate. Chat rooms are set up according to a particular interest, such as a TV show, sports activity, on line game and such. Everyone that frequents a chat room may not be what they appear. It is not uncommon for adults to pose as teenagers, or younger, to solicit personal information from unsuspecting children or ask them to call them on the telephone which will display the child's telephone number on the Called ID. Postings in a chat room or on a Bulletin Board most often will reveal the child's email address. All of these communications are designed to get personal information. There are other methods to keep tabs on your child's Internet activity as well. Monitor your credit card and phone bills for unusual charges or telephone numbers. If you see something out of the ordinary . . . investigate it. You've done your best but you're still unsure. There are some signs to look for that your child may be targeted. Are they spending long hours online, especially at night; are you receiving phone calls from people you don't know; are there unexplained gifts arriving at your home; is your child quickly turning off the computer when you enter the room; do they seem withdrawn from the family and reluctant to discuss their online activities. Any of these may be a warning sign and warrant further involvement. Computer Bytes Index Send Us an Email | Home Page Copyright 2007-2008. All rights reserved. Computer Bytes articles may not be reprinted, published, quoted, copied, or used in any manner whatsoever without the expressed written permission of David Moncrief.