The Real Dangers to Kids Online and How to Avoid Them
Did you know
Parents' biggest concern about the Internet used to be pornography, but there is definitely a greater fear today.
You have probably taught your child not to talk to strangers, and in many situations, they would remember this. But the Internet is different.
Due to the Internet's anonymity, strangers are talking to children all the time. They try to gain the child's trust by having friendly conversation at first, but over time, their true objective of sexually soliciting the child becomes evident. Children and parents alike are unaware of this, yet this is exactly what is going on via the Internet.
What can today's parent do? Armed with information, there's quite a bit a parent can do.
Software4Parents.com's Top 5 Internet Safety Tips
1. Tell your child to NEVER EVER reveal their name, address, phone number or any other personal information to ANYONE online. Once you give out this information, it is impossible to retract.
2. Communicate regularly (not just once) with your child about WHAT they do online and WHO they talk to online. If you have actually met the friends they are talking to in person, you'll know it is OK for them to chat with them online.
3. Take computers out of kids' rooms and put them into public areas such as the family room. Many parents think they are helping with homework by giving the kids a computer, but it also opens certain dangers that you may be unaware of.
4. Choose your child's screen name, email address or instant message name wisely - don't' reveal ages, sex, hobbies, and CERTAINLY NOT suggestive or sexy names. Predators are more likely to pursue a child with the screen name "sexyteen5" than "happygirl5"
5. Use technology to help you protect your child. Monitoring software gives you the ability to review your child's Internet usage. Even if you don't look at each and every email or instant message they send, you'll have a good idea if they are making smart choices online.
The Internet can open many doors and provide useful information for children. An aware and informed parent can help keep children safe.
Resource: Joshua Finer, Internet Safety expert and CEO of Software4Parents.com For free information on choosing the right Internet safety product for your family, email choosing@software4parents.com or visit www.software4parents.com/choosing.html
About The Author
Joshua Finer is a Penn State MBA and Internet Safety expert. Joshua has appeared on The Montel Williams Show, and in The Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, The Chicago Tribune and many more national media outlets.
Joshua is an Internet Safety expert and CEO of Software4Parents.com For free information on choosing the right Internet safety product for your family, email choosing@software4parents.com or visit www.software4parents.com/choosing.html
www.software4parents.com/choosing.html
taxi o'hare Wisconsin Dells ..The advances in science over the past century have been... Read More
My kids ask me all the time to take them... Read More
There are times when my ideas of raising a child... Read More
Ask any teacher or adolescent counselor what the most disturbing... Read More
My husband and I have a 12-year-old daughter who wanted... Read More
Handing Down Malignancy.Children may begin bright and eager to face... Read More
For parents, keeping our kids safe is a constant top... Read More
Despite the potentially dangerous side-effects of Ritalin, public school authorities... Read More
More and more parents are expressing their concerns about how... Read More
When our oldest son was 2, my wife went out... Read More
Dear Vijay,I worry about not being a good parent. My... Read More
21 Reasons I Love Being A DadWhat you will read... Read More
Are you looking for the Ultimate Airplane Themed Party Games... Read More
1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply)2. Wipes3.... Read More
Here's a scene: A parent "might suddenly grab a happliy... Read More
Children explore the world around them and learn through pretend... Read More
The key to lifelong learning is reading and writing. When... Read More
The 21st Century Problem in Schools: Bullying, and How to... Read More
Bi-Polar Disorder, or Manic Depression, is characterized by mood swings,... Read More
Maryann is so focused she's blind. She's slipped over the... Read More
Kids today no longer live the kind of privileged lives... Read More
Your child's teacher says that you need to find out... Read More
It used to strike me as odd - but really,... Read More
When is a person brilliant? When does a person show... Read More
Your Virgo Baby..August 23 - September 22Virgo children are honest... Read More
bmw rental chicago Ackley ..The back-to-school shopping is done. Brand new pencils, colored markers,... Read More
I remember when my daughter was born. Visions of her... Read More
Life is comprised of pieces of time sprinkled with pivotal... Read More
All responsible parents would want to support their children, find... Read More
"Just turn the lights off and go to sleep"Do you... Read More
What is Happening in the brain of children, teens, and... Read More
Q: Whenever we tell my daughter "no," she just bugs... Read More
As a parent you will be asked to assist with... Read More
Software for parental control is a useful tool, if applied... Read More
Child Party Planning Guideline #1)Pick the ThemeYour child is going... Read More
AD/HD (attention deficit disorder) is one of the most common... Read More
A while ago I received this story from David in... Read More
Recently, a parent came to me, conflicted over whether to... Read More
21 Reasons I Love Being A DadWhat you will read... Read More
In seminars I am often asked about pocket-money and whether... Read More
"I WON'T DO IT!" "YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!"Whether parent or... Read More
Have you heard the song; "I Hope You Dance"? It... Read More
Choosing to leave your child with a caregiver is one... Read More
When growing up, my father frequently reminded me to "pay... Read More
Should a parent give a child a tangible reward when... Read More
Best friends! It may seem impossible to believe, but today's... Read More
We all know that using cloth nappies is best for... Read More
Congratulations on your new baby! You have just brought your... Read More
Often I have heard that leaders are born, not made.... Read More
More and more kids these days are diagnosed ADD, ADHD,... Read More
Parenting |