Internet Safety Rules

If you are like most parents than you have kids or teens at home, also computers and internet. There seems to be no life without this now. Both parents and children must use the internet for some purpose or the other. So why the need for internet safety rules? Because you cannot cut off or live without computers and internet, but you can certainly have internet safety rules which will keep your child out of harm’s way.

Your child might claim that they rely on the internet for important school research projects, which is a very efficient education method. But you also must realize that with this they become computer proficient enough to go exploring or stumble upon unwanted sites.

Many kids and teens these days use the internet to interact with friends and also make new friends with others online. This is where it becomes a cause for concern. Some kids has already become victims of cyberbullies leading them to take extreme action.

The ability of the internet to facilitate socializing and interactions with others online sounds pretty neat. But did you know that online predators like sexual predators also use the same media to target unsuspecting kids and teens? obviously as because they can create assumed identities online which may seem ‘attractive’.

These are why it becomes very important, even critical, to have a laid down internet safety rules so in order to protect your kids and teens.

Go visit MySpace.com, an extremely popular social networking website. You will see that scores of members including children and teenagers posts photos and pictures of themselves online. This can of course be dangerous, especially when other personal information is divulged too, like address, city, town, school etc. What will make online predators stop making use of such information to work on?

Let your child understand the possible deep implications or consequences of all these. Let them be confronted with the question – ‘if a predator turns up at their door while they are alone, due to the information provided online, how will they like it!?’ The fear factor should work for the good of your child making the follow the internet safety rules.

Make sure that the internet safety rules you lay down includes rules to follow for use of internet chat rooms and social networking websites, for these are the areas where kids are most vulnerable to attacks. Even after setting the rules, you will want to doubly make sure that no personal information is posted in their profile, like phone numbers and address etc.

Just laying down the internet safety rules for your kids and teens to follow is not enough. Who knows whether they are following them or not!? You need to actually keep a track of their activities online, which is not practically possible all by yourself. You need to make use of the service of companies such as SafetyWeb, whose purpose is not only to track your kids activities, but also alert you as and when further investigation is warranted.

The following internet safety rules are so as to keep your kids and teens safe online. Before stating the rules as it is, it would be far better to build up a relationship of trust and comfort first with your child. Let them know that you are depending on them not only for their own safety but also for the family’s safety too. Make the following internet safety rules very clearly understood by your kids and teens.

• Never input your personal information online like real names, address, phone nos or anything that you can be identified with. The ‘identities’ you see online are seldom the very often assumed identities.
• Likewise never put online any information of your family members.
• Never upload photos and videos online as they can easily be misused online by online predators.
• Never download anything without first letting your parents know, as these might contain harmful stuffs and jeopardize family’s safety.
• Do not get friendly with strangers online no matter how friendly they appear. Online predators assume the best of online identities.
• Just like in the real world, if you want others to treat you with respect and dignity, treat others with respect and dignity.
• Any information which you feel uncomfortable with, should be brought to the notice of your parents immediately.
• Protect your user name and password at all times. Never let it out to anyone.
• Never agree to meet someone you meet online without consulting your parents first, as your parents if at all they agree will ensure security like arranging for a public meeting place.
• Do not respond to any questions which makes you feel uncomfortable, watch out especially for others insisting you provide more of your information like address, location etc.
• Never let others online know the details of your parents profession especially the timings of their workplace, as it might be someone contemplating a robbery, or a paedophile.

When dealing with kids or teens making them follow the internet safety rules, expect them to resent the restrictions. Deal with it firmly and drive home the point firmly that it is only for their own safety, and out of love and concern.

If you are a parent who knows the risks and dangers of the internet, you probably already have some rules for your kids to follow so that they remain safe online. But let’s face it, making them follow the rules is easier said than done.

You very well know that your child not following the internet safety rules could land them at risks or danger of being attacked by online predators. The situation is now too serious to ignore. If your child is not listening to you, it is time to sit down and have a talk with them. This should be the first approach before taking any action. Oftentimes when a kid realizes the dangers and risks on themselves they will agree that the rules are so as to keep them safe only.

Be very sure that your kid understands all aspects of the internet safety rules. For example, making them understand that if they are allowed to use social networking sites, the kind of information they are not allowed to post on their profile, especially personal information with photos and videos. Do not just tell them straight away not to do these, but make them understand why this could be dangerous.

Understandably, the level of understanding and also obedience level of different kids will differ a lot. If your kid in spite of all the guidance, teaching and cautions still won’t follow your internet safety rules all the way, you might be compelled to give them a stern final warning. Let them know that there are serious consequences to their actions.

You may have to go as far as cutting the use of internet for your child, which will most likely send across a very clear message as to the seriousness of the whole issue. Only letting them use the internet for school research projects in your presence. Again this would make them understand the importance and consequences of not following rules such as the internet safety rules.

Another approach or step which you can take is, blocking the known unwanted sites which you want your kid to stay away from. Most of the reliable browsers these days comes with the functionality of blocking certain sites which you want blocked.

In the event of your child assuring you that they are following all the internet safety rules that you laid down, but you still have some doubts, you can always make use of service such as SafetyWeb, which will provide you with the detailed reports of your kids whereabouts and activities.