Protecting You Kids

As our kids get older there are some steps we, as parents can take to protect our kids while they are online. The children online predators target are between the ages 11 and 14. There are ways we can protect them with out being overbearing. One way would be to monitor the sites they access. By monitoring their access to some sites we can help slow Internet predators. Use child blocking programs for those sites that contain adult themes. these programs run from 40 dollars and up but are worth the price to keep our kids safe.

You can also start by asking your child about the sites they visit. Ask them why they visit that site and what type of site it is. All schools use computers now days and we have a responsibility to know what they are doing online. Talk to your child's teacher and know what it is they are being taught. Children need access to the Internet for educational purposes this we can't control with the computers becoming an important part of our educational system. One thing you can't do is stop your kids from using a computer. But by limiting the types of Internet sites they do use you can help in protecting them.

Heres a list of things you can do.

1. Set rules. By making them ask for permission on the sites they use.

2. Limit the type of information they give out on the Internet. Block their personal information.

3. Check out all sites they use. Know what chat rooms they use. Explain to them that they shouldn't answer emails and instant messages from people they don't know.

5. Use web filters. these are programs that filters adult themed sites by blocking access to them.

6. Always check content of web pages visited.

7. Talk to your child's teachers and find out and keep informed of their learning activities.

8. Be aware of the people who your child communicates with while online.

9. Set time limits. By only allowing them a given amount of time to access the Internet.

10. View cookies. By seeing the cookie file you can keep track of your kids when they wont tell you about the sites they visit.

By knowing who our children are talking to and what sites they visit we are more able to protect them from Internet predators. We owe it to our kids to know. The hard part is keeping up with the changing technology. But by being informed of what our kids do while online we have a better chance of doing our part in protecting them.