Surfing the World Wide Web is a way of life and learning for school-aged children. This year an estimated 95 percent of the country’s public schools will have Internet access, says the U.S. Department of Education.
While that will allow more students to research papers, learn and, yes, play games on a computer, sometimes it’s not all fun and games. Consider that in a typical week, Web sites are visited by 3.2 million kids between the ages of 12 and 17. To keep their online research safe, experts say you should teach children to use well-documented and reputable sources.
“It’s important to make rules for your children’s Internet use and to be aware of their online activities,” the U.S. Department of Education advises in its Parents Guide to the Internet. “Be sure that surfing the Net doesn’t take the place of homework or other important interests.”
Make sure children know what kinds of sites are off-limits, including violent or sexually graphic games. Simply by transposing letters in a Web address, children can wander across offensive or objectionable material.
Software, such as Cyber Patrol or Net Nanny, is available to block offensive Web sites. It’s easy to install and often supplied free by Internet service providers. But because technology changes so rapidly and kids can skirt around them, filters aren’t fail-safe. Also remember the standards others use to screen out material may not reflect your values.
Teach your children these rules:
- Never give your name, address, phone number or other personal information without your parents’ permission.
- Never share your password.
- Never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone you’ve met online.
- Never respond to a message that makes you feel uncomfortable. Tell a parent, teacher or other trusted adult.
- Never send mean messages or use bad language.
