By Joshua F. Finer, MBA - President, Software4Parents.com
Did you know...?
- One out of five children has been sexually solicited online
- One out of four children has been sent a picture of naked people
or people having sex online
- that May 21, 2002 there was the first death of a child
linked directly to an Internet Predator?
Parents' biggest concern about the Internet used to be
pornography, but there is definitely a greater fear today.
You have probably taught your child not to talk to
strangers, and in many situations, they would remember
this. But the Internet is different.
Due to the Internet's anonymity, strangers are talking to
children all the time. They try to gain the child's trust
by having friendly conversation at first, but over time,
their true objective of sexually soliciting the child
becomes evident. Children and parents alike are unaware
of this, yet this is exactly what is going on via the
Internet.
What can today's parent do? Armed with information,
there's quite a bit a parent can do.
Software4Parents.com's Top 5 Internet Safety Tips
- Tell your child to NEVER EVER reveal their name,
address, phone number or any other personal information to
ANYONE online. Once you give out this information, it is
impossible to retract.
- Communicate regularly (not just once) with your child
about WHAT they do online and WHO they talk to online. If
you have actually met the friends they are talking to in
person, you'll know it is OK for them to chat with them
online.
- Take computers out of children' rooms and put them into
public areas such as the family room. Many parents think
they are helping with homework by giving the children a
computer, but it also opens certain dangers that you may
be unaware of.
- Choose your child's screen name, email address or
instant message name wisely - don't' reveal ages, sex,
hobbies, and CERTAINLY NOT suggestive or sexy names.
Predators are more likely to pursue a child with the
screen name "sexyteen5" than "happygirl5"
- Use technology to help you protect your child.
Monitoring software gives you the ability to review your
child's Internet usage. Even if you don't look at each
and every email or instant message they send, you'll have
a good idea if they are making smart choices online.
The Internet can open many doors and provide useful
information for children. An aware and informed parent
can help keep children safe.
