How To Protect Your Kids From Internet Dangers
This series is drawn from the booklet Kid Safe Cyberspace: A Parent’s Guide… To read Part 1 of this series, click here.
********************Part 2
From the previous article in this series you find the following: Parenting has never been easy and protecting your kids from Internet dangers will be no different. The world is out to rip your kids from the safety and protection of the family…
Have you heard about the “Pornification of America?” This phrase has been coined in recent years to describe pornography’s skyrocketing climb from seedy bookstores, back alleys and “adult” movie theaters to mainstream contemporary life. It is now found everywhere but, most prevalent and at its most vile, on the Internet which is where your kids are or will be hanging out.
Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security thinking that you or your children are immune to this plague ravaging society. The multi-billion dollar pornographic industry uses many forms of deception to lure Internet surfers, often unsuspectingly, to their websites. I can guarantee you that if you have kids using a computer, with no parental controls and filtering software, they have already been exposed to pornography and possibly to predators. Even if you have filters on your computers, technology is not the complete answer and there is still much you need to know and do to protect your kids.
How can I convince you that your children are at risk? What if I told you that one of the largest groups of viewers of Internet pornography is youth 12-17 years of age and that the average age at which children are first exposed to online porn is 11 years old? Is your stomach getting queasy yet? How about this: one in seven kids, 10-17 years old, has received unwanted sexual solicitations online. Better take the antacid before reading on. In a May 2006 press conference the U. S. Atty. General estimated “at any given time there are 50,000 predators on the Internet prowling for children.” In my opinion, that number is low due to the fact that there are over 600,000 registered sexual offenders in U.S (the ones that have been caught). I wonder how many are living in your neighborhood — go to Family Watchdog for a predator neighborhood search?
These sobering facts should put to rest any doubt about the absolute necessity of having Internet filters and parental controls in use on all your computers. When looking to buy a filtering system, keep in mind that most will do fine for younger children. However, by the time they are 10 or 11 years old you will want a system that incorporates features that you can tailor to your family’s specific needs. In addition to website filtering you should have Internet Monitoring software which essentially records and tracks all computer and Internet activity such as; chat and email conversations, has a key logging function, gives you screen shots of web page visited, and so much more. You will want to be sure your software comes with detailed computer usage reports, an immediate override function, and the list goes on.
Remember, I said technology is not the complete answer? The reason: no filter or monitor is 100% effective. You must combine the high-tech filtering/monitoring systems with low-tech Internet usage ground rules. Create a checklist of these rules, or use this Internet Safety Tips handout, and have it posted next to the home computer. For a detailed explanation of these and many other Internet usage ground rules you need to get the Kid Safe Cyberspace booklet. The checklist should include but not be limited to:
- No personal information (name, home or email address, phone #’s, school names, home town, etc) is to be shared with anyone on the Internet.
- Never upload your picture or those of family or friends.
- Never reply to emails or chat sessions containing threatening or vulgar language – and be sure to tell mom and dad.
- Never meet someone in person that you met online.
That list was for the children. Now, a few things for parents to consider:
- Place the computer in the most public area of the home – family room or even the kitchen.
- Never allow a computer in the child’s bedroom.
- Have a serious talk with the older children about predators. (We will talk more a bout this later in this series.)
- Set time limits on Internet usage to allow time for some real family interaction.
- Keep secret all passwords used for filtering systems and parental controls.
- Get to know who your children’s “online” friends are, just as you want to know about their real world friends.
- (And the most important) Did I say, never allow a computer in the child’s bedroom? Just checking!
Remember, I did say that parenting has never been easy and protecting your kids from Internet dangers will be no different.
As you may have guessed, we have just scratched the surface of what you need to know in order to best protect your children. In the next part of this series we will discus the problems with web cams, iPods, cell phones, game systems, just to name a few.
In closing, I would like to quote from Bishop Loverde’s pastoral letter on pornography (Arlington, VA diocese). “We stand at a threshold – either we can continue to allow this plague to spread … or we can take concrete steps to uproot it in our lives, our families, our neighborhoods and our culture.”
The battle lines are drawn and families – moms, dads, extended family – must be the first line of defense in protecting our kids. It is time to take a stand.
More articles to follow, or you can just order the Kid Safe Cyberspace booklet and get a jump start on protecting your children from Internet porn, cyber bullying, predators, sexting, identity theft, drugs, and all the rest of the garbage found in the Internet landfill.
Be sure to review the other Internet Safety links found in the top navigation bar.
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Take courage, my friend.
***Be a friend to your friends with kids and share this web site with them. You may prevent the heartbreak that is inevitable if Internet porn or other online dangers win the day.***
Filed Under: Internet Safety
what is this website all about anyway? besides “dangers of the internet” what does this teach you and how does it affect you and the ones you love
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Rena,
The short answer: this website is a resource for parents who need help protecting their children/teens from Internet dangers such as Internet pornography, cyber bullying, predators, sexting, identity theft, drugs, and more. I try to convince them that the dangers are real and then equip them with the tools needed to protect their kids.
To learn more start by reading: An Internet Safety Booklet That Every Parent Should Have.