Family and Child Online Safety Blog - SafetyClicks

• What dangers does the Internet pose to children?
  There are more benefits to kids than dangers, but both are real. Some of the dangers include children being exposed to content that isn't appropriate for their age, being harassed by other users (normally other kids they might know) and it is possible that children can get messages from strangers. There are several things that you, as a parent, can do to help avoid the dangers to kids and enhance the numerous benefits the Internet can offer.

• Only allow kids to go to sites that are appropriate for their age by using parental controls software to block content you feel isn't appropriate for your child.
• Keep the computer in a central location in the house. This way you can watch what your kids are doing, without having to interfere .
• Talk to your kids about the dangers of the Internet and help them understand ways to keep themselves safe (like not sharing personal information and how to report things they see that are bad).

• Should I allow my child to use IM or Chat Rooms?
  It is fine to allow children to IM, but keeping it only to people they know in the real world is the safest bet. Use parental controls to ensure their conversations are limited only to people on their buddy list that you approve.
  
  Chatting can be a fun social online activity, but kids should only be in chat rooms that are designed for kids of their age group. Most chat rooms for kids are monitored by trained staff and/or only allow limited words be used, to prevent kids from inadvertently being unsafe. Be sure the chat rooms you allow are appropriate for your kids by going in yourself and seeing what the experience is like and if you feel safe allowing your kids in the environment.
  • What should I do to protect my kids while they are online?
    - Be involved in their online activities for younger kids.
    - Use age appropriate parental controls software.
    - Make sure people they communicate with online are people they actually know. "Friends" people meet online aren't always honest about their real identities.
    - Keep the computer in a common area in the house, not in a bedroom with a closed door.
    - Teach kids what behavior to be wary of and encourage them to ask you about something they think might be bad.
    

  • My child often receives e-mails with links to adult sites. Does this mean he's been visiting pornography sites?
    No. Everyone is potentially at risk for getting Spam such as this, even though nothing was done to provoke it. The best way to prevent your child from seeing Spam is to use parental controls to only allow people you approve to email your children.

  • How can I teach my children about Internet safety when I do not understand the Internet?
    Reading this blog is a good place to start. Kids have never known a world without the Internet, so learning the technology is second nature to them because they don't know anything different. Adults can have more of a challenge because we have different priorities, which don't always include learning the newest and latest techno-gadget.
    
    When you begin, learn the technology that your kids want to know about. There is no point trying to research ALL the new things out there, if your kids have no interest in them. If your kids want to create a profile on a social networking site, go out and create one yourself to see what it is like and what your kids might run into.
    
    Ask for help. Ask friends, family or other parents if they have experience in what you are trying to learn. You can also ask your question in the comments and someone here will know how to help.

  • Should I install filtering software, like Net Nanny?
    This is a question that only you can answer. If you want to block out web sites that may be inappropriate for your kids, then yes, it may be something you consider. There are many software options that may suit your needs, including parental controls that AOL offers for free. When you are researching which software to use check the descriptions to make sure you are getting what you intended. For example, you probably want an Internet filter, but is it appropriate for your kids and their age groups? Can it filter e-mail? Does it report activity back to you, or does it just filter out what it thinks is appropriate? Each person has to make their own choices about what is right for their families. Asking other parents might be a good place to start.

    • Should I let my child have their own email address?
      Depending on your family and Internet use, it might be a good idea. If your child does a lot of things on the internet, particularly if they are getting email from friends or school mates, it may be a good idea to allow him/her to have a personalized email address. This can prevent school or friend mail from getting mixed up with yours, it can give them a sense of privacy and begin teaching them communication skills they will use their whole life.
      
      In addition, you could create a block or allow list of people your child is permitted to email. This can be done through AOL's parental controls. You can either allow your child to get email from anyone except a few people, or (more highly recommended for younger users) you can only allow them to get email from email addresses that you specify.

    • I don't snoop in my child's diary, why should I check up on their activity while on the Net?
      The reason is the Internet is an interactive space. Your child probably isn't "making friends" through their diary, therefore causing a higher risk. If you are concerned about breaching trust consider letting your child know that you are planning on checking on their online activities. It should be stressed that it isn't to invade privacy, instead it is to keep peace of mind for their safety.