Keeping Kids Safe When They Are Online

By Susan Coney

The most recent, yet already outdated, United States Census Bureau report released in 2003 stated that 40 percent of adults use the Internet to obtain information about news, weather, and sports. In today’s world the Internet is a major venue for the dissemination of a seemingly endless amount of information and at the same time it is causing a major change in interpersonal communication.

Yet, as Newtown Youth Officer Dana Schubert points out, “The Internet is a dual-edged sword. It can be a wonderful resource but we are paying a price for it socially.”

According to Officer Schubert, while online computer exploration opens a world of possibilities up for children by exposing them to different cultures, it also poses danger of sexual exploitation and bullying.

Officer Schubert, himself a parent of preteens, stresses the need for parents to be informed and vigilant about supervising their children’s use of the computer.

“In my life as a parent and in my line of work as a youth officer it is very challenging to keep up with the advances in technology,” he stressed. “It is the parents’ responsibility to monitor the use of the computer. An educated parent is light years ahead in prevention. A few more computer savvy parents and you get a few more kids protected.”

He went on to say that with the increase in technology, computers make anonymity much easier.

“When you have anonymity all the morals and values go out the window. Things kids would never do at their own home they will do at someone else’s house. Parents need the skills to properly supervise the kids on the computer. This is all predictable human behavior; computers make it easy to break the rules,” he added.

Reed School instructional technology specialist Ken Royal wholeheartedly agrees with Officer Schubert’s comments.

“Computers are valuable pieces of equipment bought to provide children with an educationally level playing field. You have to be the parent and the administrator of the computer. The kids will want to test you. Just like with movies, music, and television, you have to be the parent when it comes to supervising your kids with today’s technology,” Mr Royal said.

“Portray yourself to be computer savvy even if you aren’t, then go and find out the information you need to protect your child,” he emphasized.

Although Mr Royal has mastered the challenge of screening and protecting the students at Reed from inappropriate information that is constantly transmitted on the Internet, he says parents need to take that responsibility seriously on the home front.

At Reed Intermediate School, where Mr Royal teaches all the fifth and sixth graders about computer use and safety, he reviews online safety rules with his students and they are required to sign a contract stating that they will act responsibly when using the computer. He recommends parents talk to their children about computer safety at home.

Mr Royal offers numerous common sense tips that parents can follow to help keep kids safe from Internet predators. He recommends placing the computer with the screen facing away from the wall in a common area of the home such as the family room, and keeping them out of the child’s bedroom.

When purchasing an Internet provider service use the protective software that comes with the service. If using filtering, blocking, or monitoring software, configure and maintain them properly.

Parents may set up log in times for the computer that limits the use to hours when it may be monitored. Understand the limitations of the devices and the ways in which children can defeat them. Do not place total faith in filtering and monitoring devices.

Mr Royal recommends that parents check the history of where kids have been on the Internet. Parents may check the browser to detect what sites have been visited.

Remember to look at temporary files, compact discs, and search engines to see what a child has been doing on the computer. Set computer rules and see that the child adheres to them.

If emailing is allowed, put safeguards on that privilege.

Mr Royal stresses, “If a parent is going to allow instant messaging, that opens up doors for a host of other things.”

He encourages parents to let their children know that they will be checking on things from time to time. He suggests a little fear of being caught helps to keep kids following the computer rules that have been set.

Mr Royal stated that instant messaging and blogging may lead a child into an unacceptable area.

“Children should not be giving out personal information, such as their full name, phone number, address, school they attend, or passwords to anyone. They should never send another person their picture or anything else without checking with the parent,” he stressed.

Mr Royal suggests that parents purchase some good software that encourages the study of something of interest to their child.

“The computer is much more than just being online. You don’t have to be online to have fun,” he said.

Mr Royal recommends that parents may want to get a microphone, some fun software, or graphics such as Adobe and Paintshop to spark an interest in using the computer in other entertaining, safe, and educational ways.