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As
Internet usage has soared during the past few years,
children have been one of the fastest-growing groups
to be online. Kids between the ages of 6 and 17 use
the Internet an average of six hours per week, and
about 35 percent of preschool-aged children are
online. The Internet puts the world at users’
fingertips, offering tools for education,
entertainment and communication. But the Information
Superhighway also can be a dangerous place for
children. |
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At Community of Hope, our desire is
to have a children’s ministry page that will attract
young people to the computer, so together we'll want
to make sure they’re safe and that their you, the
parent, feel secure about letting them visit.
We have Posted a list of
Internet-usage guidelines for our children’s
ministry page to assist you as the parents in
further efforts to safeguard our children.
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10 TIPS TO KEEP
CHILDREN SAFE ONLINE |
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This is a contract available at
www.protectkids.com
which encourages kids to follow their parents’ rules about Internet use.
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1. Set guidelines for computer use and have older children sign
an Internet usage contract. For example, see
www.protectkids.com/parentsafety/pledge.htm. |
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2. Keep the computer
in an open, common area such as a family room, as
opposed to a bedroom or basement.
| 3. Become familiar with the Internet and spend
time online with your children. |
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| 4. Use
blocking or filtering software to shield children from harmful material
online. Many Internet service providers (ISPs) offer blocking
options with parental controls. You also can purchase filtering programs
that prevent children from accessing objectionable sites, as well as
programs that track children’s online activities. Search for “Internet
blocking software” for several options from which to choose. |
| 5. Learn
about the Internet services your children use, sites they visit, and
their online friends. Bookmark their favorite destinations so
they’re easy to access. Occasionally review their “history” to see where
they’ve been, too. |
| 6. Instruct children
never to give out personal information, passwords or pictures on the
Internet. |
| 7. Monitor
children’s e-mail messages by either sharing an account with them or by
frequently accessing their accounts. |
| 8. Tell
children to immediately report to you anything that makes them
uncomfortable. Report obscene messages or images to the
CyberTipline at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:
1 800 843-5678, or
www.cybertipline.com. |
| 9. Make
sure children do not agree to meet an online acquaintance unless it’s in
public and you’re present. |
| 10.
Instruct children not to enter chat rooms, buy products online, or
download photos or links from strangers. |
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