The Internet can be a fun and useful tool for younger users, but parents should be aware of the potential hazards on the Internet for youngsters as well. There is virtually no end to the type of information that can be found on the Internet, but not all of it is good. Parents should always monitor their children's use of the Internet to ensure that children know what to avoid and what type of sites are unacceptable. Since it is not always possible for parents to be right there at all times, you might want to consider software that will block certain types of sites. This software is usually free and simple to install, and it will permit parents to establish selective filtering criteria that will reduce a child's exposure to undesirable material. This filtering criteria can include selecting specific sites that cannot be accessed or by blocking any sites that contain selected phrases or words that you deem undesirable.

Another area for concern on the Internet is with "chat groups, Xanga.com and myspace.com" Kids will often visit chat groups to have real-time discussions with other kids their own age. However, the people they communicate with in these areas may not always be children. Because the Internet provides such complete anonymity, anyone can misrepresent who they are. Caution your children to avoid providing personal information that may help an adult identify them. In most chat groups, the conversations may be monitored by anyone who is logged on, so you may be telling your deepest secrets to any number of people at the same time. Below are some other cautionary tactics to warn children about when they are involved in online discussions.

• Never tell your full name, especially your last name.
• Never give your address to anyone online. To be really safe, you should not even mention the name of the city where you live.
• Never tell the name of your school. It is okay to mention what grade you are in, but not the school.
• Do not mention teachers by name. If you want to discuss that terrible English teacher, give that individual a fictional name or use an initial.
• Never mention the name of your sports team. It is okay to say that you play soccer, but do not mention the team by name. Also use caution in referring to the name of the league.
• Never send pictures of yourself or open attachments that may contain harmful materials or viruses.
• Never agree to meet anyone in person that you chat with over the Internet.
• Online enticement of children for sexual acts is a serious offense. If you are approached in this way, immediately report it to the CyberTipline at www.cybertipline.com or by calling 1-800-843-5678.
• Some filtering software programs to check out: Net Nanny, CyberPatrol

Predators and stalkers can use any of the information above to try to find unsuspecting children.

The less information your child provides, the safer they will be.

Parents should also warn children about completing forms online that request personal information. Federal legislation prohibits Internet sites that target children under 13 years-of-age from asking for personal information. If your child encounters a site that does require some form of registration, then there should also be a space for the parents to provide information that grants permission for the child to access the site. Remind your child to always alert you to any site that asks them to complete a form.

More Sources & Info:

Teenagers SHOULD NOT be permitted unmonitored internet access. PERIOD, NO EXCEPTIONS!! The risk is deadly, and there is simply no excuse. Here are a few tips for parents, based on my own experience and advice passed along from others:

1. Talk to your children about their internet use and the dangers. Discuss stories such as these. Read the FBI's website and warnings. Scare your kids into believing the risks are real.

2. Keep computers in common rooms.

3. Search MySpace, Xanga, Livejournal and other personal web pages for your teen's profile. If you do not find their actual name, do not stop there. Search their friends' names and look for profiles on their friends' pages that might belong to your child.

4. Search your browser's history, cookies and cache for personal weblog pages.

5. If you have instant messaging services such as Yahoo or MSN, set the options to auto-log chat sessions. Better yet, prohibit the use of IM except under controlled circumstances such as homework discussions. If you have AIM, you cannot enable auto-logging, and for that reason alone I would caution against allowing teens to use AIM.

6. If you find your teen has been active on IM or personal web pages without your knowledge, CONFRONT THEM. So, they are angry that you were 'snooping'? Teenagers have no right to privacy as to their internet use, and if you succumb to that argument from a teenager, you need to revisit your role as a parent.

7. Stay involved and stay informed. Know your kids' friends, friends' parents, interests and hang-outs.

As children grow, we cannot monitor them 24/7. But we can control what goes on in our own homes, and we are in control of what we teach and model for our children. It can make the difference between life and death. It's that serious.
 

More Important Info: