Children play everywhere. It’s natural. Play is necessary for childhood development. Children learn skills, imitation and imagination while playing. They also vent feelings of frustration and joy. Playing should bolster physical, emotional and mental health. Play on the internet is not an exception.
Protect your children online as you do everyday of their lives. Parents must take an active role with children’s electronic communications and internet use. Filtering software can be a great help just as effective as a babysitter. It is a temporary substitute when parental attention must be somewhere else at that particular time. Filtering software helps keep children away from inappropriate material. It does not guarantee that your child will avoid everything you do not want them to view or experience. There just is no substitute for the immediate personal parental supervision.
Because computers and the internet are tools, they can be used for good or bad purposes. Continue to remind children that home and family values apply wherever they are even when you are not physically there – including the internet. If your child is not allowed to do something or go somewhere during everyday activities, then they should follow the same restrictions online.
The "cyber-yard" is no different than the schoolyard or playground when it comes to safety. Watch your children. Supervise their activities. Discuss where they went, with whom, how long they stayed, if they had fun, if anyone made them feel uncomfortable or used nasty language. Discuss family values and respect for themselves and others. If your child has a tendency to bully or be bullied, watch for changes in their behavior to indicate this. Electronic communications (cell phones, text messaging, social networking communities, blogs) are the lifeline of many children – these tools connect them to their friends 24 hours a day, everyday. With parental supervision, shy children can be encouraged to use the internet to bolster self-confidence and relationships. Parents should remember five essential things when it comes to their children and the internet and electronic communications.
- First, remember that the biggest threat to your children anywhere is the people they meet. Open discussions at the dinner table or while driving to a game about activities of the day and online can uncover both pleasant and potentially dangerous situations. Should a predator approach your child, don’t blame your child. It is not their fault. Don’t unintentionally close the door to communication with your child by overreacting. Instead, try to get as many details as you can and report this to the CyberTip Line www.cybertipline.com.
- Second, all internet access by children requires parental supervision that should be guided by family values and their access should be age-appropriate.
- Third, try to understand the basics of various electronic devices which includes the how and why your children use them. Try to anticipate how a stranger can contact your child. Then rehearse with your child how they will respond as you do with physical safety procedures.
- Fourth, as soon as you begin teaching your child about right and wrong, begin teaching them about the proper, safe and clean use of computers, the internet and electronic devices.
- Lastly, apply everyday family values, restrictions and permissions to the use of the internet and electronic devices.
As you enjoy the internet, protect yourself, your children, your possessions and your money. When you maintain your personal and online safety, you also protect your community and nation. Stay safe.