Preparing Kids for Being Online


The first step to keeping your kids safe online is to prepare them. You need to both advise them of the potential dangers online and to set your expectations of what you consider to be appropriate use of the Internet and what is not. The next few sections lay out some points to consider.

Establish and Communicate the Internet Usage Policy

As a parent, you need to decide what Internet usage framework you are going to provide for your child. Some things are pretty clear cut (for example, blocking access to pornography). But, there are gray areas, such as medical or biology sites and graphic news reports.

Time limits also seem straightforward, just limit to one hour a day and never between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., right? Well, yes and no. The Internet is a fantastic resource for homework and research. One hour a day could be restricting how well your kids do at school. We know, it makes your head spin.

In general, we recommend covering the following points with your kids in setting an acceptable use policy:

What are the acceptable hours of usage?

What are the time limits per day? Is it different for weekdays and weekends?

What are appropriate websites and activities?

What is appropriate language?

Are digital photos allowed to be exchanged? and with whom?

What are the rules for signing up to online services?

Are they permitted to download software?

Are they permitted to download digital music or videos?

Are they allowed to be online when you are not home?

Are voice-chat conversations over the Internet permitted?

Are webcams permitted?

Are they permitted to use the Internet outside of the house, such as at a friend's house?

Very Important

We recommend against webcams for kids unless closely supervised.


Having a clear list of rules and guidelines between you and your kids will remove any possibility later for claiming they did not know.

Making Kids Aware of Online Dangers

According to Highlights of the Youth Internet Safety Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice, "one in five children (10 to 17 years old) receive unwanted sexual solicitations online."

Talk to your kids openly about the dangers of being online, including child predators. If possible, sit down with them and read or watch several news stories available online that include the consequences of falling prey to an online predator. Here are a couple (they may not be still available when you read this book; if not go to Google and search for "child-predators sexual-assault"):

From MSNBC's "To Catch a Predator" television series:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10912603/

From America's Most Wanted television show:

http://www.amw.com/features/feature_story_detail.cfm?id=1053

Make sure your kids understand that the Internet provides anonymity. Just because someone on the other end of a chat or IM window says they are 12 means nothing. They could be anyone, anywhere.

Very Important

There is a difference between an online chat room and instant messaging (or IM). The online chat room is akin to a party line, whereas IM is a one-to-one conversation. Many kids today use IM to stay in touch with friends, which is pretty safe because you can control who is in their contact lists. Chat rooms tend to be open-forum discussions, usually centered around a single topic (such as boy bands or professional wrestling). Educate yourself in the differences so that you do not inadvertently take away something of value to your kids that might not be doing harm.


As mentioned earlier, illegal downloading of music, videos, games, and so on is another type of danger online. It does not seem like a threat per se, but there are quite a few documented cases where parents have been liable for thousands of dollars in fines or settlements because their children illegally downloaded music from music-sharing sites. Discuss the laws regarding music sharing with kids. Explain the difference between illegal sharing sites and legitimate sites such as iTunes.

From the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA):

http://www.riaa.com/issues/piracy/online.asp

Avoid Giving Out Personal Information Online

Online child predators have been known to use personal information kids give out online to track them down. They do not need a name and address; sometimes they can deduce who a child is and where he or she goes to school from only pieces of information.

Set guidelines for giving out personal information online and enforce them. Make sure your kids understand what they are and are not allowed to share. Information that needs to be under lock and key includes (but is not limited to) the following:

  • Name

  • Address, even town

  • Photos

  • Age or characteristics

  • School

  • Family names or characteristics

  • Friends

  • Pets

  • E-mail address

  • Likes and dislikes

  • Any other information that can be used to deduce your child's identity

Make it clear to your kids: When in doubt, leave it out. There is no need to give out personal information online to strangers.



Home Network Security Simplified
Home Network Security Simplified
ISBN: 1587201631
EAN: 2147483647
Year: N/A
Pages: 130

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