The Top Ten Tips for Child Internet Safety

This article will provide the parent with 10 essential tips for Internet safety for your children. In the process, it may make you a bit wiser but most of all will enable you to protect and educate your children about how to keep safe on the Internet.

1. Do NOT forbid Internet use. Most likely, your children will just defy your ban on the sly. Between the public library and their friend's houses, they will have PLENTY of opportunity to do so.

2. Filtering software such as "Net Nanny" and "Cyber Patrol" will not block all of the dangers that your kids will encounter online but it can't hurt. Be involved and visit websites with your kids whenever you can

3. Grasp an understanding of computer technology. These days, it's not difficult to find a child or teen who knows FAR MORE about computers than their parents do. In another decade or so, that may not be the case but for now, parents need to understand the technologies. Take a class, read a book, subscribe to some computer magazines. The more parents know about computers and the Internet, the better they can talk to their kids about Internet safety.

4. DO NOT place an Internet capable computer in the privacy of your child's room. You're asking for BIG trouble. Place the computer in a common area of your home like the living room. Your children won't expect privacy in an area like that.

5. Explain to your child that they need to be careful about just what they post about other people on their blog or anywhere on the Internet. Internet predator friendly information is commonly posted by friends in the comment sections of various blogs.

6. Pay attention and look for warning signs that your child may be in danger such as minimizing a browser window when you enter the room and / or getting phone calls from people that you don't know.

7. Communicate with the parents of the friends of your child. Most children use computers at their friend's home and not all parents pay much attention to Internet safety.

8. Teach your children "The Embarrassment Rule". They should NEVER post anything on the Internet or in their blog that they wouldn't want everyone to read.

9. Talk to your children often and explain to them that it is very important to inform you if he or she is every approached online or receives and inappropriate content. Explain the points of Internet safety found in this article to your children.

10. Lastly, If you think that there may be a problem. Do NOT hesitate to report it to not only the authorities but your Internet service provider. There are severe penalties for people who jeopardise your child's Internet safety.

Computers and the Internet are becoming more popular by the year. Parents need to be aware of Internet safety practices so that their children can enjoy the benifets of the Internet as a useful and entertaining entity. By practicing the tips on Internet safety discussed in this article, the parent can make better choices and offer protection to their children.