Internet Safety
Monitoring how our child or teen uses the internet at home is pretty simple. Keeping the computer in a common area and using content filters provide parents with a measure of control over what comes in to and what goes out of their home via the internet. It’s important to remember however, that kids often have access to computers at school. They might also surf the internet at their local library or at a friend’s home. And many teens can access the internet directly through their cell phone. For that reason, communicating with your child about potential dangers on the internet and maintaining a regular dialogue with your child or teen is the first and most important line of defense.
Statistics
A recent congressional survey found that out of an estimated 24 million children online, one out of five have received sexual solicitation. This equates to an astounding 4 million children a year being sexually solicited online! Sadly, only about 25 % of those children report the encounter to a parent. Twenty-five percent, or a concerning 6 million children, were sent pictures of naked or sexually engaged individuals.
Online predators tend to approach kids who are 14 years or older, approximately 77% of the children who were sexually solicited online fell into this age range. The remaining children who received sexual solicitation were between the ages of 10 and 13.
The concern for our children’s safety isn’t solely focused on sexual predators. As parents we need to be aware that former friends or casual acquaintances can become cyber-bullies. Sadly, as many as 43% of children have experienced bullying via the internet over the past year, yet only 11% reported the incident to their parents.
Internet Safety Checklist
| ____ | Keep the computer in an open area like your family room or other commonly shared space. |
| ____ | Post simple, easy to read house rules near the monitor. Periodically review the rules together. |
| ____ | Ask your internet provider what kind of monitoring or filtering programs they offer to safeguard children. |
| ____ | Explain to your children what personal information is and why they should never give out their address, telephone number or name and location of their school. |
| ____ | Encourage children to create a screen name to use when online in order to protect their identity, and to use a nickname, different from their screen name, when in chat rooms. |
| ____ | Ask your kids to tell you if they receive a disturbing, offensive or dangerous email, chat or other communication. Keep the communication and report it to local law enforcement. |
| ____ | Invite your kids to show you their favorite sites and what they like to do online. |
| ____ | Show children how to turn off the monitor if they become uncomfortable, frightened or confused by what they see or read online. Encourage them to tell you or another trusted adult about the situation. |
| ____ | Contact your local law enforcement agency if you suspect that your child that your child is being victimized by cyber-bullies or perpetrators. |
| ____ | Ask your local librarian and your child’s school principal what safeguards they have in place for children using the internet at their facilities. |
Resources for Parents and Caregivers
Internet Safety News