| The Internet exposes children to a whole new | | | | to keep your kids interested. Once in a while, |
| world which can contribute greatly to their | | | | check if the websites you have selected are still |
| education and can be very enjoyable. | | | | suitable. |
| In our dynamic technological world where | | | | 5. Make sure that the PC your child is using is in a |
| knowledge is power, parents want their children | | | | family space , so you can supervise them. |
| to surf the Internet, and learn as much as they | | | | 6. Define clear guidelines for your children |
| can. With this wish there is also the desire to | | | | regarding Internet use. Different families may |
| protect our children. | | | | have different guidelines, but it is important that |
| The growth in Internet popularity is followed by a | | | | your children are aware of what you expect |
| growth in immoral and criminal activities on the | | | | from them. Define the guidelines according to the |
| web. Hackers, crackers, web bullies, identity | | | | child's age group. You can also define an Internet |
| thieves, children predators all of them and more | | | | use policy that your child will be obligated to (See |
| are out there in the cyber world. | | | | Use Policies). |
| Since this generation of children possess high | | | | 7. Instruct your child not to give away private |
| technological skills, the main problem that parents | | | | information online. Private information may include: |
| face is the need to create boundaries for their | | | | name, last name, home address, email address, |
| children in a virtual world where the authenticity of | | | | home phone number, parents' work phone |
| communication is questionable. In order to | | | | number or place of work, school, passwords etc. |
| protect our children and educate them to safe | | | | This private information should not be exposed on |
| and productive internet activities we should | | | | any of the online communication tools that the |
| become Internet savvy and get familiar with our | | | | child is using, such as: email, IM(=Instant Message), |
| children's Internet experience. | | | | chatrooms, forums, virtual worlds etc. |
| Following are a few general guidelines: | | | | 8. Help your children to create a safe username. |
| 1. Keep the communication channels with your | | | | If your children encounter websites which require |
| child open. Show an interest in your child's internet | | | | using a username or a nickname, help them to |
| activities. Supervise your child when surfing the | | | | create a nickname that will not reveal private |
| Internet. It is important to try to understand your | | | | information. For example, never use year of birth |
| children experience when surfing the web, in order | | | | in a nickname which can reveal age ("Sara1995"). |
| for you to guide and assist them. | | | | 9. Supervise upload of personal photos. Instruct |
| 2. Be a role model to your child. Constantly talk | | | | your child not to send or upload to the web |
| with your child on what is right and what is wrong | | | | personal photos or family photos without adult |
| when surfing the web. | | | | approval. |
| 3. Become Internet savvy. If you have | | | | 10. Encourage your children to let you know if |
| knowledge about services and applications that | | | | they encounter any strange behavior or behavior |
| are available on the Internet , you will be more | | | | that caused them an uncomfortable feeling, when |
| effective when guiding your children. Sit with your | | | | they surf the internet. |
| children when they are surfing and try to learn as | | | | 11. You can use parental control tools and |
| much you can about their habits. If you feel you | | | | products that filter and/or monitor Internet |
| don't have enough knowledge you can use | | | | surfing in order to control your children's Internet |
| Internet security websites in order to gain more | | | | activities (Tools and Products). |
| knowledge and confidence. In addition, you can | | | | 12. Install and use firewall and anti-virus programs |
| also talk with other parents. | | | | that protects the PC from installation of malicious |
| 4. Create a list of suitable websites. Give your | | | | softwares. |
| children a list of websites that you find suitable for | | | | For more information on how to protect your |
| their age and that may interest them. Update this | | | | children in the cyber world - In3Go - Resource for |
| list on a regular basis with new websites in order | | | | Internet Security Information. |