The Internet & Your Children

What a silly title for this article, right? Wrong. Parents in this day and age need to be able to see what their kids are up to. This is not the same world it was 10 years or even 15 years ago, much less when most parents today were kids. Times have changed. Kids are now 'grown-up' (or so they think) at much younger ages. Things they take for granted today would have been on sci-fi movies a couple of decades ago.

It's time parents smarten up. Kids will be kids and are not as mature or aware of dangers as parents are. If they were they wouldn't need parents to guide them.

If you have the internet in your home, do not let a child have a computer in their bedroom. I don't care what you think or what rules you have; a child will do what a child will do. There will be nights when you are convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that your little darling is snuggly tucked in bed and snoozing, when in fact they're on an IM chatting at 1am. If the computer is in a less private room, say the dining room or living room, kids won't be tempted to sneak and use it.

The same goes for game systems that can get online. Did you know that some of these consoles have operating systems installed on them (or can have)? The Sony Playstation 3 allows the owners to install windows or linux. This gives the owner not only a fantastic gaming system BUT a complete computer, capable of anything your laptop or desktop can do. You can even buy keyboards and a mouse for the PS3. The same system allows a microphone, webcam and external speakers for chatting via games, instant messengers or the console itself. Most new gaming systems allow for online activities other than multi-user gaming as well. So if you think Junior is only playing with the kid next door on his Xbox, think again. These gaming systems function perfectly well offline. Consider letting your child update the systems or play online in your company; that way you will see exactly what's going on and can decide from there if you will allow online play.

Even with the best placement of computers and gaming systems, kids still need monitoring and limits. Set time limits for computer/gaming. Make sure the child knows there are other things to do besides being online. Monitor heavily any use of Instant Messengers and Social Networks (like AIM and Myspace, etc.). Get a keystroke logger so you will know for sure what your child is doing online and what is being done to them. Sometimes kids get into situations they don't know how to handle and a diligent parent can step in and help. Let your child know you are monitoring the computer and have talks with them about safety online as well as offline. When a child knows he is being monitored, he has the freedom to feel protected and knows he is expected to behave a certain way. He also has the freedom to come to his parents if he feels something is wrong.

Cell phones run along the same lines. Review your cell bills even if you have an 'unlimited' whatever plan. Know who your child is texting, chatting and sending pictures to. All this monitoring takes some work and some time. But our children are worth it. Don't be a parent who has no clue!