Many parental units are not "techies" and openly admit they are not. They seem to use that as an excuse to not be informed and "trust" their children to do what is right in an environment that is clearly risky. When it comes to underage children being online, there should be a set of household rules that are in place and followed or no online connections are allowed.
Parenting:
n: The rearing of a child or children, especially the care, love, and guidance given by a parent. One who begets, gives birth to, or nurtures and raises a child.
Nothing there about "except when they are online." ;-) Here are my suggestions for technochallenged parental units:
1. Keep your computer in an open place such as the family room or rec room. No negotiation here! Online activities are only allowed in this public area - when you are home. Allow a computer connected to the Internet behind a teenager's closed bedroom door and you are asking for trouble!
2. Keep your computer and online connection password protected. Use passwords that cannot be guessed by ingenious teenagers. This way, if you are preoccupied or not home, online access is not possible. Change your password on a regular basis when they are not around. Better safe than sorry.
3. Advise your children that they are not to give out their full name, address, city, state, phone to ANYONE. Those who they know in their off-line world get this info through traditional means. No reason whatsoever to give out this type of personally identifiable information online to anyone without your knowledge and supervision.
4. Learn as much as you can about the Internet, how it really works including how to use your computer and browser so that you are aware of the potential problems your kids can run into. (After they are online, use the drop down bar in your browser's location bar to get a hint of what they have been up to.)
5. Be sure to install any one of the many filtering software packages that help prevent your children from being exposed to topics that would make you cringe. Such as:
CyberSitter: www.CyberSitter.com
NetNanny: www.netnanny.com
CyberPatrol: www.cyberpatrol.com
Software is only a tool - not a replacement for your involvement. Here are several of the many publications I have reviewed and offer on one of my other sites (http://www.TechnoChallenged.com) to get you up to speed:
Dummies Series "Internet for Dummies"
CliffsNotes Fast Guides: "Getting on the Internet"
Computer Basics/2 Panel Laminated Tutorial
Use promo code "eArticle" and get 10% off your order at checkout! ;-)
You hear stories in the news all the time about police stings, pedophiles making contact with children or wacky teenagers running away to hook up with their newly discovered online love. We all know that as teenagers we didn't know squat in regard to communicating with strangers or what "love" is. Heck, I thought I was in love with Bobby Sherman! Just dated myself didn't I?
Your child's life experience simply is not in place yet to make mature decisions. That's part of life and your children need you to be their guide as they use technology. Watching over your children's online sessions is not an invasion of privacy. In my not so humble opinion, off-spring do not have privacy until they are 18 and move out! (Or is that around 30 now-a-days?) ;-)
Online monitoring is a sign of a caring parent who is involved in the activities and information their children will be exposed to online. Yes, it may be frustrating and require parents to learn some new things along the way. A computer with an online connection is not a babysitter or because we didn't have computers as children an excuse to not be involved.
Learn, get involved and be part of your children's online experiences. Look at it as another activity you can share together!
About the Author:
Judith Kallos is an authoritative and good-humored Technology Muse who has played @ http://www.TheIStudio.com for over a decade. Check out her popular Technology Cheat Sheets @: http://www.LearnAndThrive.com
As a step daughter and step grand daughter, I followed... Read More
Q. With another school year starting, we are not sure... Read More
Although, not a well publicized statistic, childhood obesity has more... Read More
Here is an easy, inexpensive and fun kid experiment for... Read More
We are all so very happy to see that the... Read More
It is so important to create an environment that promotes... Read More
Parents of teenagers frequently ask what can be done to... Read More
Rule #1 Make Every Bite Count!Everything your child eats should... Read More
Children explore the world around them and learn through pretend... Read More
You have a chore to do around the house, and... Read More
Levels of SafetyBy teaching our children there are different levels... Read More
I was changing Ford's diaper the other day when he... Read More
My kids just can't get enough of playing games with... Read More
If you really want to get your children to eat... Read More
We're all familiar with the over-indulgent parent. But there's another... Read More
Hints from Ruowen Wang? Keep a small basket filled with... Read More
Do your children have a McChildhood? Do they experience the... Read More
Plus size children and overweight children need patterns and clothing... Read More
Here is a list of ways to convey the message... Read More
It's sometimes difficult to find ways to be involved with... Read More
So you have just returned home from your third meeting... Read More
Little Suzy has really been having a hard time getting... Read More
Parents looking for a quick fix usually choose troubled teen... Read More
All babies cry, but if yours cries a lot, isn't... Read More
"Money is tight, and my husband's obsessed with doing everything... Read More
Do you struggle to get your child to bed at... Read More
Q. What is the best way to teach safety awareness... Read More
I had just completed a session with 17-year old Julie... Read More
Once upon a time there was a beautiful bird whose... Read More
Q: Whenever we tell my daughter "no," she just bugs... Read More
Are you being smart about water conservation? Do you consider... Read More
Remember when cash was a tangible commodity in all of... Read More
Public education in the United States has never been equal... Read More
Researchers have estimated that 25-35% of children in the United... Read More
Over a number of years there have been issues raised... Read More
How bad is the illegal drug problem here in the... Read More
Although it's hard to say when the first stuffed dogs... Read More
There is no doubt that mothers play an all-important leading... Read More
Search for Assurance: The Power of BelongingThe job hunt is... Read More
Unfortunately each year many young children drown in swimming pools,... Read More
There are many reasons for treating your twins as individuals... Read More
"How many times do I have to tell you to... Read More
The back-to-school shopping is done. Brand new pencils, colored markers,... Read More
Vacations are fun ! Weekends with the family are nice.... Read More
I was in the life insurance sales industry for over... Read More
How excited do kids get with the start of school... Read More
Many parents struggle with solutions to put their child on... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Is your baby approaching his or her first birthday and... Read More
It's been raining for a week and the kids and... Read More
Q. With another school year starting, we are not sure... Read More
We know that you want your little guy or gal... Read More
It has been a long day. Home from work, you... Read More
Parents of teenagers frequently ask what can be done to... Read More
Chiladult? Whatever you call them, teenagers are a changin' and... Read More
Individualism is a common thing in today's modern society. Many... Read More
The following spelling games can be used by parents to... Read More
Most of our Founding Fathers, including Ben Franklin, Sam Adams,... Read More
This past holiday season Canadians spent over $45 billion-with parents... Read More
Bearers of life, wipers of noses, givers of unconditional love... Read More
"Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing... Read More
We all know that using cloth nappies is best for... Read More
As mothers, we play so many different roles and most... Read More
Levels of SafetyBy teaching our children there are different levels... Read More
It happens every year. Just when you are settled in... Read More
Gift shops are a kid magnet and often a trip... Read More
Parenting |