Tuesday, February 3, 2009

10 ways you can keep your child safe from online predators.


Keeping your child safe online is getting harder and harder as technologies become smaller and more mainstream. Gadgets are increasingly becoming more connected. Where before you could monitor the computer use and be ok, now with cell phone connectivity and other means your child can be online without a computer. Here is a small list of ways to insure your child is not in communication with a online sexual predator.

Learn about the Internet. If you are just starting out, see what your local library, community center, school or newspaper offers by way of introduction.

Keep the computer in a common room in the house, not in your child's bedroom. It is much more difficult for a computer-sex offender to communicate with a child when the computer screen is visible to a parent or another member of the household. This helps but in today's world you also have to monitor their cell phones.

Get Involved. Spend time online with your child, whether at home, at the library, or at a computer center in your community. Your involvement in your child's life, including his or her online life, is the best insurance you can have of your child's safety. Surf together. Go online with your children and become part of their online life. The key to safe surfing is communication.

Communicate, and talk to your child about sexual victimization and potential on-line danger. Encourage your children to tell you if they feel uncomfortable, upset or threatened by anything they see online.

Consider using internet filtering software, walled gardens and child-friendly search engines. Use your browser's controls as some offer differing degrees of security for each family member.

Always maintain access to your child's on-line account and randomly check his/her e-mail. Be aware that your child could be contacted through the U.S. Mail. Be up front with your child about your access and reasons why.

Pay close attention to your child's behavior. If something doesn't seem quite right, ask MORE questions and always know exactly where they are going when leaving the house.

Set computer guidelines for your child such as requiring permission to download anything! Predators have a habit of sending sexually explicit material.



National Alert Registry Where do the sex offenders in your neighborhood live?
Find out what your kids do online, even passwords.