Posted by Joyce on February 25, 2009 under Internet Safety, Online Safety | 
The Girls Scouts are into more than just selling cookies these days. The munchable type of cookie, I mean.
Now, they are expanding into Internet cookies, too. Yes, together with Microsoft, the Girl Scouts have gone into the Internet Safety arena to launch a new Web site called LMK, or Let Me Know.
The mission of the site is to teach children and teens to safely navigate through life online, from email, to instant message and social networking.
Kudos to the Girl Scouts!
Check it out here: Let Me Know
Posted by Joyce on February 17, 2009 under Internet Safety For Kids, Kids Internet Safety, Myspace |
WOW! The Internet has been declared SAFE!
Do you feel safer, today? Just knowing I’ve been declared safer by “experts” while I type out this blog post makes me feel…well, disappointed.
I have to be more than a it cynical here. I’m not fomenting paranoia or fear, that doesn’t help with safety. On the other hand, a new report in January, along with its media hyped headlines, can set back online safety, too.
The report is, ironically enough, by the same self-appointed sheriffs of the internet that rode after and rounded up Myspace last year.
“Enhancing Child Safety & Online Technology”, is a report commissioned by 49 state Attorneys General and completed by the Technical Task Force. This report generated eye-catching headlines such as “Internet No Threat to Children.”
I hoping you see headlines like “Study Blasted for Downplaying Online Threats to Children.”
The Task Force reached 4 major conclusions:
1. The belief that predators run rampant on social networking sites has been largely exaggerated.
2. Cyberbullying presents a more widespread threat to kids than predators.
3. More research is needed to fully assess the threat of both predators and cyberbullies.
4. Technology, such as age-verification, will not solve all the problems.
Most of the studies were completed before social networking really took off. There is no way to know the impact of kids on these sites yet. In thier favor, the Task Force does say more research is needed.
Nobody has to stay up at night worrying about their kids being stalked by online predators all the time. We knew that. Don’t get complacent, either. Parents are #1 in the first line of defense to protect your kids online.
Teaching your child the basics of good online safety is one of the best ways to keep them out of scams and traps as they become adults, too. By then, the attorneys generals could declare other things completely safe, too and happily….I could retire!
Posted by Joyce on September 8, 2008 under Internet Safety |
Internet Safety: My Kid Won’t Follow the Rules!
Internet Safety? Is you child on the Internet? If they are, I hope you have internet safety rules already in place. If you do, how well is your child following them?
Your child following the rules you set up for them when they are online is as important as knowing basic Internet safety practices.
Not following your internet safety rules should be treated as seriously as wearing a seat belt any time they get into a car. Its about being as safe and preventative as they can be.
Kids will break the rules for any number of reason. First, you need to find out what the reason was for the breach of the rules. If they simply forgot, reinforce them, one-by-one, again.
Two, clear up any miscommunication and expectations. Be sure that they are clear on your rules. Make sure they understand, in their language, what it is you are setting in place for them to follow. Be clear, give examples, and have them mirror back – repeat back to you – what they hear and interpret the rules to be. Be gentle but firm. Then, restate that you want them to start following the rules right away.
If your child still isn’t following your internet safety rules all of the way, one final warning is in order. Let them know that there are serious consequences to their actions. However, if you suspect that your child is communicating with strangers online, like those who may be sexual predators, bypass the final warnings, as your child may already be in over their head.
A valid response for repeated rules’ violations is banning your child from using the Internet. This is the strictest form of punishment and likely the one that will send the clearest message. If your child must use the internet for school, like for a school research project, only let them do so when you are sitting right next to them.
You can also block the websites that you want to keep your child away from. Blocking websites intentionally because you child won’t follow your rules however, does not teach them to take a serious subject like Internet Safety seriously. It puts you in the role of being a cop and watchdog. They may then lack the skills and attention and responsibility for their own safety when they get back online.
You might consider a “middle ground” where they use the computer for a period of time when you are home or in the room. If they have their own computer, make them relocate it into a well traveled area, such as your living room. They could have these restrictions until they demonstrate they can and will follow your rules you put in place as their parent, for solid internet safety.
