21.7. Protecting Your Kids The Internet appeals to children's uninhibited, adventurous spirits. Kids find it rewarding to look up information themselves , explore online museum exhibits, and try their hand at interactive games . But the Internet isn't a babysitter , and it has millions of people prowling around on it. Some sites and services (and, quite frankly, some of the aforementioned people) just aren't suitable for children.
Tip: If you hear your kids talking about their online adventures and you have no idea what they're talking aboutIM? Blogging? Podcasts?check out Chapters 15 and 19. This book demystifies it all.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
Private Info , Public Networks | | Is it safe to connect to the Internet via the free wireless network at my local coffee shop ? If your favorite coffee joint has a WiFi hotspot (Section 1.3.1), it's fine to browse the latest news and sports on your laptop while sipping a latte. However, be wary of doing online banking or any transactions that involve passwords, credit card numbers , or account informationeven email, since it involves a password. It turns out that with the assistance of easily available free "sniffer" programs, strangers sitting nearby using their own laptops on the same wireless hotspot can, in theory, intercept text that gets sent from your computer. Using a firewall can keep your laptop secure, and many firewalls have settings specifically for use on wireless networks. But your data is still flying around the airwaves. Another WiFi hazard is the evil twin a wireless hotspot that looks like the coffee shop's or hotel's network. In reality, someone with the nefarious intention of stealing your personal information has created this imposter hotspot. So when you're out and about with your laptop or other wireless device, play it safe: stick to casual surfing and leave your passwords at home. |
21.7.1. Ground Rules for Kids If your children use the Internet, it's important to set up some ground rules to keep everyone safe and happy. For starters, keep the computer visible in a public location of your home, like the den or family room. Consider limiting the amount of time youngsters spend online, too. But because you can't be looking over your kids' shoulders every minute, you can use protective software to filter out inappropriate material, as discussed in the box in Section 21.7.2. There are also some basic words of wisdom to give to any child or teenager surfing the Internet: -
Never give out your full name. Use a nickname or first name online. -
Never give out a telephone number or home address to someone you meet online. -
Never give out your passwords. -
Never agree to meet someone you met online in person. -
Never email or post photographs of yourself online. -
Never assume that everyone online tells the truth about who they are. -
Never hesitate to tell a parent if someone is harassing or bothering you online. 21.7.2. Advice for Parents With the boom in chat rooms (Section 15.2.11), personal blogs (Section 19.1), message boards (Section 16.1), and Web-based social networking sites like MySpace (Section 17.1.4) that give plenty of opportunities for kids to express themselves online, getting youngsters to stick to the house rules can be difficultbut it's vitally important. Parents looking for more information on letting their kids use the Internet safely may want to do some further reading around the Web: -
WiredSafety . Perhaps the most all-inclusive Internet safety and help group on the Web, this site has sections of special interest for parents, lawenforcement officers, educators, women, and kids of all ages. WiredSafety keeps readers up to date on the latest issues affecting the online world. (www.wiredsafety.com) -
SafeKids . Jam-packed with safety tips and guidelines for the parents of children and teens using the Internet, this site also has a discussion forum and news updates on the latest viruses, spam, and scams going around. (www.safekids.com ) -
StaySafe . This is an educational site funded by Microsoft that focuses on both the positive aspects of Internet life and secure navigation through the negative. (www.staysafe.org ) -
GetNetWise . This frank, no- nonsense site for parents offers tips, tools, and plenty of practical advice for protecting the young ones online. (http://kids.getnetwise.org )
Tip: Want some great sites to keep your baby Web surfers educated and entertained? KidSites (www.kidsites.com ) and the American Library Association's Great Web Sites for Kids page (www.ala.org/greatsites) are great places to start. Another option is FirstGov for Kids (www.kids.gov), which provides links to NASA's page for young space fans, national museum sites, and many states' Web pages among its varied offerings.
UP TO SPEED
Software That Keeps Kids Safer | | Your computer's operating system or your Internet provider may give you some tools that help make the Web a family-friendly experience. If you don't like what you already have, you can shop around for specialized programs that let you filter what your child can see on the Web and set preprogrammed time limits for Internet use. Mac OSX 10.4 lets you set up user accounts (   System Preferences Accounts) for each child that limit his browsing to bookmarked sites. You can also set up a list of approved friends with whom the child can communicate by email and iChat; everybody else is off limits. If youre a Windows household, look for Microsoft's upcoming Family Safety Settings on the Windows Live site (www.live.com). This Web-based service can block specified sites and provide activity reports of where a child has been online. (Windows Vista, the 2007 version of Windows, has elaborate parental controls, too.) ISPs like America Online and MSN also offer builtin controls that let you limit your offsprings' activities online. If you've purchased an Internet security suite (Section 7.2.2.1), it probably includes basic parental control features that can block certain Web sites or prevent private information from being sent over the Internet. If you're willing to spend $40 to $60, you can buy a separate parental-control program. Windows fans have their choice of software like CyberPatrol (www.cyberpatrol.com), Net Nanny (www.netnanny.com), CyberSieve (www.softforyou.com), and ContentProtect (www.contentwatch.com). CYBERsitter (www.cybersitter.com) and Content-Barrier (www.intego.com) help Mac-based parents do the same. Remember, however, that no filtering software is perfect. Some overzealous programs block sites containing health information and other legitimate topics. And kids have a knack for stumbling onto things you'd rather they not see until they're about 40 and happily married. The ultimate defense against the ills of the Internet is an honest, forthright relationship with your kids in which they feel free to talk about what they've seen online. |
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