Protecting Children on the Internet

Exploring the Internet is like taking a great road trip. It can be wonderful and thrilling, but there are certain dangers if precautions are not taken. If you have children exploring the Internet, take some precautions to help make their trips online safe.

Children have a tendency to fill in forms without reading the site or understanding what they are agreeing to. Teach your children never to submit their full name, address or other personal information without your consent.

Keep computers out in the open, preferably in high traffic areas, where you can keep an eye on what your children are doing. Leaving a child in a private room with an Internet accessible computer can be dangerous for them.

As an added safety precaution, consider using a web service that provides content filtering. These filters are not perfect, but they can keep children from accidentally going to inappropriate areas.

Finally, be sure to keep your password confidential and to turn off your own automatic logins. Children can easily run up a credit card bill, or erase important email messages, if the computer automatically logs them into a certain website.

As with any road trip, exploring the internet can be a wonderful experience, but children need guidance on how to navigate and avoid on-line hazards. Give them the tools and the support they need to safely enjoy it.