Parent Time

1. Get some perspective.
We wouldn’t be parents if we didn’t overreact sometimes, and it’s easy to get spooked by stories of cyber predators. But before you throw a hissy and yank the Internet connection, learn a little about these threats and how to spot the danger signs:

SafeKids.com
safekids.com

FBI
fbi.gov

Media Awareness Network
media-awareness.ca

Media Awareness Network - Be Web Aware
bewebaware.ca

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2. Make sure you understand what your kids are talking about.
Many adults — even those who are online every day — only use the Web and e-mail. But your kids know there’s a lot more to the Internet than that. You’ll be a more credible cybercop if you know the difference between IRC and ICQ. Here’s where to start:

Yahooligans!
yahooligans.com

GetNetWise
getnetwise.org

Wired Patrol
wiredpatrol.org

Chatmag
chatmag.com

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3. Keep an eye on them.
As with so many safety issues, supervision is the key to steering your kids out of harm’s way. Young children shouldn’t be alone online, and older kids shouldn’t be locking themselves in their rooms with the computer. Here are some sites with age-appropriate guidance:

ProtectKids.com
protectkids.com

USA Today
gannettonline.com

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4. Set the ground rules.
Whether or not you want to draw up a formal contract like some experts suggest, make sure your kids know what they can and cannot do online. You may want to print your list and tape it beside the computer:

SafeKids.com
safekids.com

About.com
familyinternet.about.com

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5. Let them know what to do if they get into trouble.
If your child accidentally stumbles on a porn site, receives a disturbing e-mail or is propositioned in a chat room, she should feel comfortable going to you. And how are you going to help?

GetNetWise
getnetwise.org

Kids Domain
kidsdomain.com

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6. Make them media savvy.
You’ve taught them not believe everything they see on TV. Now they need to tell truth from nonsense on the Internet, especially when doing homework. Teach them to carefully evaluate a Web site’s content:

Media Awareness Network
media-awareness.ca

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7. Mind your manners.
Even when hiding behind a made-up name, basic etiquette rules apply in chat rooms and when using e-mail. Here are some guidelines your kids can follow:

Kids Domain
kidsdomain.com

8. Sneak a peek at what they’ve been up to.
If you suspect your kids have been typing naughty words into the search engine, or visiting sites that are off limits, there are some simple ways to check up on them:

Media Awareness Network
media-awareness.ca

Safety Ed International
safetyed.org

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9. Explore filtering software.
If your kids are too smart for your little sleuthing tricks, there are many programs designed to block inappropriate Web content. They don’t always work, and they’re controversial, but worth checking out if you’re having difficulty monitoring your child’s computer habits:

About.com
familyinternet.about.com

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10. Show them where they can go.
Don’t just block sites, lead them to the good ones. Here are just a few of the excellent kid-friendly directories available:

Yahooligans!
www.yahooligans.com

Ask Jeeves for Kids
www.ajkids.com

Kidsclick!
www.kidsclick.org

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Originally published in Today's Parent, June 2002