|
Many parental units are not
"techies" and openly admit they are not. They
seem to use that as an excuse to not be informed and
"trust" their children to do what is right in an
environment that is clearly risky. When it comes to
underage children being online, there should be a set of
household rules that are in place and followed or no
online connections are allowed.
Parenting:
n: The rearing of a child or children, especially the
care, love, and guidance given by a parent. One who
begets, gives birth to, or nurtures and raises a child.
Nothing
there about "except when they are online." ;-)
Here are my suggestions for technochallenged parental
units:
-
Keep
your computer in an open place such as the family room
or rec room. No negotiation here! Online activities
are only allowed in this public area - when you are
home. Allow a computer connected to the Internet
behind a teenager's closed bedroom door and you are
asking for trouble!
-
Keep
your computer and online connection password
protected. Use passwords that cannot be guessed by
ingenious teenagers. This way, if you are preoccupied
or not home, online access is not possible. Change
your password on a regular basis when they are not
around. Better safe than sorry.
-
Advise
your children that they are not to give out their full
name, address, city, state, phone to ANYONE. Those who
they know in their off-line world get this info
through traditional means. No reason whatsoever to
give out this type of personally identifiable
information online to anyone without your knowledge
and supervision.
-
Learn
as much as you can about the Internet, how it really
works including how to use your computer and browser
so that you are aware of the potential problems your
kids can run into. (After they are online, use the
drop down bar in your browser's location bar to get a
hint of what they have been up to.)
-
Be
sure to install any one of the many filtering software
packages that help prevent your children from being
exposed to topics that would make you cringe. Such as:
Software is only a tool -
not a replacement for your involvement. Here are several
of the many publications I have reviewed and offer on one
of my other sites (http://www.TechnoChallenged.com)
to get you up to speed:
- Dummies Series
"Internet for Dummies"
- CliffsNotes Fast Guides:
"Getting on the Internet"
- Computer Basics/2 Panel
Laminated Tutorial
Use promo code eArticle and
get 10% off your order at checkout! ;-)
You hear stories in the
news all the time about police stings, pedophiles making
contact with children or wacky teenagers running away to
hook up with their newly discovered online love. We all
know that as teenagers we didn't know squat in regard to
communicating with strangers or what "love" is.
Heck, I thought I was in love with Bobby Sherman! Just
dated myself didn't I?
Your child's life
experience simply is not in place yet to make mature
decisions. That's part of life and your children need you
to be their guide as they use technology. Watching over
your children's online sessions is not an invasion of
privacy. In my not so humble opinion, off-spring do not
have privacy until they are 18 and move out! (Or is that
around 30 now-a-days?) ;-)
Online monitoring is a sign
of a caring parent who is involved in the activities and
information their children will be exposed to online. Yes,
it may be frustrating and require parents to learn some
new things along the way. A computer with an online
connection is not a babysitter or because we didn't have
computers as children an excuse to not be involved.
Learn, get involved and be
part of your children's online experiences. Look at it as
another activity you can share together!
|
About
The Author
Judith
Kallos is an authoritative and
good-humored Technology Muse. Check out
her new book: "Because Netiquette
Matters! Your Comprehensive Reference
Guide to E-mail Etiquette and Proper
Technology Use" @: http://www.BecauseNetiquetteMatters.com. |
|
|
