Parenting Your Online Child
Your child needs the Internet
The Internet is a wonderful research tool. Reliance on the Internet in schools has grown rapidly - so even if you don't have a computer in the home, chances are very good that your child is online at schools (and very likely at friend's houses as well). Online, your child has dozens of encyclopedias at his fingertips, he can call on experts in almost any field for information, he can play, keep in touch with friends, meet new people, and explore ideas and world-views we never dreamed of when we were young.
But the Internet isn't all good
There is, however, a downside to the Internet. Dropping your children off on-line is as ill advised as dropping him off in a mall unsupervised. There are predators online who would take advantage of your child's innocence and trust. There is a great deal of easily accessed pornography. There are bullies who would harass your child. There are hate-sites, pro-drug sites, and sites that promote any activity you can think of that you would protect your child from. Just as you don't give your child carte-blanche in a video store or in a theater, and just as you monitor what types of books or magazines he is permitted to read - so should you approach the Internet issue in your home. To take advantage of the Internet without being taken advantage of your children need two things from you: information and supervision. Use this website and your conversations with your child to educate your child about permissible behavior when online. By working together as a family, you can get the best of what the Internet offers without risking your child's innocence, safety, or your peace of mind.
Additional Resources
CERT: Keeping Children Safe Online
CSCIC: Kid Safety (Video)
The Internet is a wonderful research tool. Reliance on the Internet in schools has grown rapidly - so even if you don't have a computer in the home, chances are very good that your child is online at schools (and very likely at friend's houses as well). Online, your child has dozens of encyclopedias at his fingertips, he can call on experts in almost any field for information, he can play, keep in touch with friends, meet new people, and explore ideas and world-views we never dreamed of when we were young.
But the Internet isn't all good
There is, however, a downside to the Internet. Dropping your children off on-line is as ill advised as dropping him off in a mall unsupervised. There are predators online who would take advantage of your child's innocence and trust. There is a great deal of easily accessed pornography. There are bullies who would harass your child. There are hate-sites, pro-drug sites, and sites that promote any activity you can think of that you would protect your child from. Just as you don't give your child carte-blanche in a video store or in a theater, and just as you monitor what types of books or magazines he is permitted to read - so should you approach the Internet issue in your home. To take advantage of the Internet without being taken advantage of your children need two things from you: information and supervision. Use this website and your conversations with your child to educate your child about permissible behavior when online. By working together as a family, you can get the best of what the Internet offers without risking your child's innocence, safety, or your peace of mind.
Additional Resources
CERT: Keeping Children Safe Online
CSCIC: Kid Safety (Video)
