The Real Dangers to Kids Online and How to Avoid Them
Did you know
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1 out of 5 kids has been sexually solicited online
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1 out of 4 kids has been sent a picture of naked people or people having sex
online
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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
joshua@finertechnologies.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
