In the decade since it became an integral part of our lives, the Internet has transformed the way we communicate, do business, shop and obtain information.  But perhaps no group has been as profoundly impacted by the web as our children.   Children as young as five years old are able to navigate the online world with ease – and the older they get the more they use it to communicate with their friends and get help with their school work.

But our children are also at great risk when they are online.  Danger lurks around every corner in the form of cyber-bullies, predators and massive amounts of inappropriate information – both hidden (in chat rooms) and overt (in pornography and other adult sites).

As parents, we walk a fine line – we must allow our kids to use the computer in order to stay current and build skills for their future, but we must also play the role of watch-dog in order to make sure that they do not fall prey to those who would exploit them online.

To help guide the way, here are some simple tips for monitoring your child’s Internet time.

Explain the rules right up front

No matter how you choose to monitor your child’s Internet use, it is important to let them know right from the start that you will be an active part of the computer time.  But don’t stop there – explain that you are doing it for their own safety, telling them about the potential dangers that can be found on the Internet.

Make computer time family time

The best way to help your children stay safe while they are online is to supervise their activity.  And the most effective, productive way to do that is to hold daily “Internet Family Time” in which every child is given a chance to work or play online, but with adults present. Be sure to make this time fun, and something the kids look forward to every day.

Monitor bookmarks and history records

Another effective method for monitoring a child’s Internet use is simply reviewing their bookmarks or site history at the end of their online sessions.  This will provide a clearer picture of the kinds of sites your children are visiting, and will give you a chance to talk to them about inappropriate websites and potential online dangers that can be found in the sites they are browsing.   Many kids may be unaware of the types of people who inhabit these sites, and will benefit greatly from a little extra information.

Block unwanted sites

Recent software innovations have made it possible for parents to install site blockers into their browsers which prevent children from viewing certain sites.   While these programs are effective, they are not perfect (and may be no match for a motivated, tech-savvy kid) and should always be accompanied by parental education or involvement (such as those listed above).

Has your child been the victim of a cyberbully?  Are you concerned about threat of cyberbullying in your child’s peer group?  CyberBully Alert helps families fight back against online predators and cyberbullies.    Visit www.cyberbullyalert.com today for more information.

One of the most dangerous, insidious aspects of the Internet is the targeting of children by online sexual predators. These criminals employ a series of clever, manipulative tactics to reach out to children in an effort to get them to meet in person. Any parent with children who use the Internet should be aware of the following strategies employed by online predators.
Strategies of online predators

• Targeting children who are new to the Internet. Children who are unaware of the hidden dangers of the Internet make easy prey for online predators.
• Sending gifts to children in the mail. Many online predators will attempt to curry favor with children by sending expensive gifts to their home address. This is one of the primary reasons why parents must insist that children NEVER give out their personal information online.
• Targeting kids who are confused about their sexual identity. Predators can seem supportive and understanding to kids who need to talk about their sexual identity issues, when in reality, they are simply gathering information to use against them in the future.
• Focusing on kids with problems at home. Just as in the last point, online predators will gather at sites and chat rooms where kids come to talk about their problems at school or in the home. The predators know that these kids are most vulnerable and prone to their manipulative tactics.
• Online predators test the child’s comfort levels. Many online predators move slowly, befriending the young person before moving in for a meeting or sexual discussions online. Others, if they feel the child is open to it, will immediately begin explicit conversations with the child and use it to build a bond between them. Either way, these are highly manipulative individuals who know how to reach a child where they are most vulnerable.

Helping your kids avoid online predators.

The following tips will help parents keep their kids safe from online predators, while still giving them the freedom to use the Internet and learn valuable life skills:

• Talk to them about the dangers that exist online. Parents should learn everything they can about online predators and cyberbullying, then share that information in an open and honest dialogue with their children.
• Monitor their computer use. As a parent, you can’t be everywhere all the time, but you can limit the bulk of your child’s online time to periods when adults are present. Create “online family” time and use these moments to learn more about your kids and what they like to do.
• Instruct your kids to tell an adult if they feel threatened or uncomfortable while online. Many kids who encounter online predators never tell an adult because they are too embarrassed. Make sure they know that the best thing to do is tell their parents or teachers IMMEDIATELY when they encounter a situation that makes them feel uncomfortable.

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