The Real Dangers to Kids Online and How to Avoid Them: Top 5 Internet Safety Tips
The Real Dangers to Kids Online and How to Avoid Them
Did you know
- 1 out of 5 kids has been sexually solicited online
- 1 out of 4 kids has been sent a picture of naked people or people having sex online
- that May 21, 2002 there was the first death of a child linked directly to an Internet Predator?
Parents' biggest concern about the Internet used to be pornography, but there is definitely a greater fear today.
You have probably taught your child not to talk to strangers, and in many situations, they would remember this. But the Internet is different.
Due to the Internet's anonymity, strangers are talking to children all the time. They try to gain the child's trust by having friendly conversation at first, but over time, their true objective of sexually soliciting the child becomes evident. Children and parents alike are unaware of this, yet this is exactly what is going on via the Internet.
What can today's parent do? Armed with information, there's quite a bit a parent can do.
Software4Parents.com's Top 5 Internet Safety Tips
1. Tell your child to NEVER EVER reveal their name, address, phone number or any other personal information to ANYONE online. Once you give out this information, it is impossible to retract.
2. Communicate regularly (not just once) with your child about WHAT they do online and WHO they talk to online. If you have actually met the friends they are talking to in person, you'll know it is OK for them to chat with them online.
3. Take computers out of kids' rooms and put them into public areas such as the family room. Many parents think they are helping with homework by giving the kids a computer, but it also opens certain dangers that you may be unaware of.
4. Choose your child's screen name, email address or instant message name wisely - don't' reveal ages, sex, hobbies, and CERTAINLY NOT suggestive or sexy names. Predators are more likely to pursue a child with the screen name "sexyteen5" than "happygirl5"
5. Use technology to help you protect your child. Monitoring software gives you the ability to review your child's Internet usage. Even if you don't look at each and every email or instant message they send, you'll have a good idea if they are making smart choices online.
The Internet can open many doors and provide useful information for children. An aware and informed parent can help keep children safe.
Resource: Joshua Finer, Internet Safety expert and CEO of Software4Parents.com For free information on choosing the right Internet safety product for your family, email choosing@software4parents.com or visit www.software4parents.com/choosing.html
About The Author
Joshua Finer is a Penn State MBA and Internet Safety expert. Joshua has appeared on The Montel Williams Show, and in The Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, The Chicago Tribune and many more national media outlets.
Joshua is an Internet Safety expert and CEO of Software4Parents.com For free information on choosing the right Internet safety product for your family, email choosing@software4parents.com or visit www.software4parents.com/choosing.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Birth of a Parent
So you're pregnant. Congratulations! Your life is about to change... Read More
Frequently Asked Questions About Reading To Your Child
Are you worried about your child's reading habits? Perhaps you... Read More
Aptitude, Achievement, Processing Deficit - What Does It All Mean?
You are sitting with the professionals who know about learning... Read More
If your child is being bullied - 20 top tips for parents
Keith is now in the fourth grade and he dislikes... Read More
Mommy, I Can?t Sleep! Sleep Disturbance in Children
"Just turn the lights off and go to sleep"Do you... Read More
The B Word
Former students would probably attest to the fact that few... Read More
The Great Baby Name Debate
Winifred or Willow? Thomas or Troy? The name you choose... Read More
Road Trip! Make It Fun For Your Toddler
If you had to spend 4 or 5 hours in... Read More
Develop Your Childs Genius: Training Your Child for Success
This time, I would like to talk about a subject... Read More
Confident Children - Avoid Overparenting
For many years underparenting was perhaps the biggest problem facing... Read More
Internet Dangers - Protecting Children from Internet Jeopardy
Parents are in a unique position to "monitor" their children's... Read More
ADHD: A Dialogue With a Non-Believer, part three
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Kids And Chores - Make It Easy On Yourself!
My neighbours' kid impressed me the other day.I was busy... Read More
Shopping with Children
Is your weekly shopping trip with the kids an absolute... Read More
Helping Your Kids Handle Divorce
Every year over one million parents have to talk to... Read More
The Most Innovative New Approach for ADHD, a Natural Remedy
What's new and effective in the treatment of Attention problems?... Read More
Meeting The True Needs of Children Diagnosed As ADHD
How should one look upon Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)... Read More
Quality Time with Your Teen
It's sometimes difficult to find ways to be involved with... Read More
Aquini Potty Training Dolls - A Great Tool For Potty Training!
Corolle Paul or Emma Drink-and-Wet SET potty dollsThis is the... Read More
Teaching Your Child To Lift a Car
Yesterday my husband Wade took the day off (that's one... Read More
Saying No To Our Children
Saying no to our children is not always easy or... Read More
Co-sleeping, a personal story
When I was pregnant, we knew that we had some... Read More
Awesome Dads Top Ten Communication Intentions
An Awesome Dad in by no means perfect. But that... Read More
Communication Mistakes Parents Often Make - And Easy Ways To Correct Them
As parents, we love our children and want to do... Read More
Dexedrine, Cylert, and Adderall in the Treatment of ADHD
Dexedrine is not prescribed very often for the treatment of... Read More
What is Hyperactivity in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
Most of the ADHD kids that are seen in a... Read More
Keeping Kids Safe on the Internet
The biggest trick some child predators' are using these days... Read More
The Top 10 Tips for Communicating with Children
Most people have more training before they receive their driver's... Read More
Parenting Your Teenager: Truth or Lie?
Attention all parents of teen-agers. Here is an important, groundbreaking... Read More
Stress is No Kiddy Matter
Kids today no longer live the kind of privileged lives... Read More
Educational Jigsaw Puzzles, How Educational Are They?
Many companies advertise their products as being educational. How much... Read More
How Being a Mom Makes You a Better Professional
"Becoming a parent can make you a better worker," New... Read More
Top Ten Ways to Raise Emotionally Intelligent Kids
Having a high level of emotional intelligence in your children... Read More
Childrens Discipline: How To Resolve Divorce Parenting Differences?
Did you know that inconsistency on matters of discipline gives... Read More
Promote Physical Fitness for Your Child
If your child is to derive the benefits of physical... Read More
The Better Behavior Wheel - A New Kind of Calm in the Family
There's a new kind of fun and calm out there... Read More
Film Industry and Our Youth
In the first premise, some films and video tapes which... Read More
Cyber Parenting 101
Many parental units are not "techies" and openly admit they... Read More
Are You Addicted to Your Children?
Is it possible to be using our children addictively?Anything that... Read More
Why First Borns Fuss, Seconds Are Resilient and Last Borns Like To Laugh
How can two or three children in the same family... Read More
Let Kids Help
One fantastic way to get your children involved in what... Read More
Would You Know if Your Child Were Being Bullied? 4 Tips to Keep Them From Becoming a Victim
The 21st Century Problem in Schools: Bullying, and How to... Read More
Getting through the School Daze
It's back to school time again. Does the thought of... Read More
When Parents Disagree
Moms and dads, are there times you think that parenting... Read More
Whine Oh Whine Am I The Only One?
I thought I was the only one in the world... Read More
Empty Nest Syndrome
Paula's last child had just gone off to college and... Read More
We All Wish That Our Children Have Good Virtues, But... Are We Setting A Good Example Ourselves?
We all wish that our children should not smoke or... Read More
Watch What You Say
"Now don't you go getting any ideas, Harold.""Don't you get... Read More
Lets Protect Our Children
There are software programs that you can purchase to keep... Read More
The Importance of Mothers
Moms, did you ever question your value as a role... Read More
Violence in Media
In the news, we hear and see an increasing number... Read More
Teach Your Children - Without Them Knowing They Are Learning!
The great thing about children is they absorb knowledge like... Read More
Maximizing Your ADHD Childs Performance in School.
As a parent there are lots of things that you... Read More
Awesome Dads Top Ten Communication Intentions
An Awesome Dad in by no means perfect. But that... Read More
Free Stuff for Twins: Incentives for Parents of Multiple Births
A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is... Read More
Should We Apologize To Our Children?
An apology is a sign of strength, not weakness. Sometimes... Read More
The Value of Play
Isn't it ironic that a country whose constitution allows for... Read More
Co-sleeping, a personal story
When I was pregnant, we knew that we had some... Read More
Selecting A Quality Day Care Center
Many working families choose a commercial or individual day care... Read More
Diaper Bags for Dads - Papas Got a Brand New Bag
Today's dads are more hands-on than ever before and their... Read More
Parents --- Homeschooling Can Take a Lot Less Time Than You Think
The time you will need to teach your children the... Read More
The Real Problem With Todays Teenagers (And Why Most Parents Just Dont Get It!)
An address given by Rev. David B. Smith... Read More
How to Raise Creative Kids
"Where did he come up with that?" Kids often amaze... Read More
Go Ahead - Make Dads Day
Throughout the year, many days of celebration are tucked capriciously... Read More
ADHD: A Dialogue With a Non-Believer, part two
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Just Average
What do you mean average? Not good? Just doing good... Read More
Parenting |