Cyber Parenting 101
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Many parental units are not "techies" and openly admit theyare not. They seem to use that as an excuse to not beinformed and "trust" their children to do what is right inan environment that is clearly risky. When it comes tounderage children being online, there should be a set ofhousehold rules that are in place and followed or no onlineconnections are allowed.
Parenting:
n: The rearing of a child or children, especially the care,love, and guidance given by a parent. One who begets, givesbirth to, or nurtures and raises a child.
Nothing there about "except when they are online." ;-) Hereare my suggestions for technochallenged parental units:
1. Keep your computer in an open place such as the familyroom or rec room. No negotiation here! Online activities areonly allowed in this public area - when you are home. Allowa computer connected to the Internet behind a teenager'sclosed bedroom door and you are asking for trouble!
2. Keep your computer and online connection passwordprotected. Use passwords that cannot be guessed by ingeniousteenagers. This way, if you are preoccupied or not home,online access is not possible. Change your password on aregular basis when they are not around. Better safe thansorry.
3. Advise your children that they are not to give out theirfull name, address, city, state, phone to ANYONE. Those whothey know in their off-line world get this info throughtraditional means. No reason whatsoever to give out thistype of personally identifiable information online to anyonewithout your knowledge and supervision.
4. Learn as much as you can about the Internet, how itreally works including how to use your computer and browserso that you are aware of the potential problems your kidscan run into. (After they are online, use the drop down barin your browser's location bar to get a hint of what theyhave been up to.)
5. Be sure to install any one of the many filtering softwarepackages that help prevent your children from being exposedto topics that would make you cringe. Such as:
CyberSitter: www.CyberSitter.com
NetNanny: www.netnanny.com
CyberPatrol: www.cyberpatrol.com
Software is only a tool - not a replacement for yourinvolvement. Here are several of the many publications Ihave 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 atcheckout! ;-)
You hear stories in the news all the time about policestings, pedophiles making contact with children or wackyteenagers running away to hook up with their newlydiscovered online love. We all know that as teenagers wedidn't know squat in regard to communicating with strangersor what "love" is. Heck, I thought I was in love with BobbySherman! Just dated myself didn't I?
Your child's life experience simply is not in place yet to makemature decisions. That's part of life and your children needyou to be their guide as they use technology. Watching overyour children's online sessions is not an invasion ofprivacy. In my not so humble opinion, off-spring do not haveprivacy until they are 18 and move out! (Or is that around 30now-a-days?) ;-)
Online monitoring is a sign of a caring parent who isinvolved in the activities and information their childrenwill be exposed to online. Yes, it may be frustrating andrequire parents to learn some new things along the way. Acomputer with an online connection is not a babysitter orbecause we didn't have computers as children an excuse tonot be involved.
Learn, get involved and be part of your children's onlineexperiences. Look at it as another activity you can sharetogether!
About the Author:
Judith Kallos is an authoritative and good-humored Technology Musewho has played @ http://www.TheIStudio.com for over a decade. Check out her popular Technology Cheat Sheets @: http://www.LearnAndThrive.com
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