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VPL encourages parents and guardians to become actively involved with their children's use of the Internet.
Here are some suggestions that will help ensure that your children have an enjoyable, safe experience while using the Internet:
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- Understand and supervise your children's use of the Internet.
- Teach your children to protect themselves when they use the Internet. A good resource is a DVD called Internet safety : hot tips for cool kids.
- Review your children's Internet and email habits on a regular basis.
- Review with your children the sites they visit, and bookmark the ones you agree are suitable for their interests.
- Ask your children to seek your permission before they send an email, respond to an online survey, or fill out any type of online form.
- Use VPL's Email Librarian service to Ask a Librarian a question
online.
By taking responsibly for your children's online computer use, parents can greatly minimize any potential risks of being online. Make it a family rule to:
- Never give out identifying personal information such as your home address, school name, or telephone number in a public message such as chat or bulletin boards, and be sure you are dealing with someone that both you and your child know and trust before giving this information out via email. Think carefully before revealing any personal information such as age, marital status, or financial information. Consider using a pseudonym or removing your child's name from the service the Web site offers if permitted.
- Be aware of the Web-based services your child uses. If you don't know how to log on, get your child to show you. Find out what types of information the service offers and whether there are ways for parents to block inappropriate material.
- Never allow a child to have a face-to-face meeting with another computer user without parental permission. If a meeting is arranged, make the first one in a public spot, and be sure to accompany your child.
- Never respond to messages or bulletin board items that are suggestive, obscene, threatening, or make you feel uncomfortable. Encourage your children to tell you if they encounter such messages. If your child or you receive a message that is harassing, of a sexual nature, or threatening, forward a copy of the message to your Internet service provider and ask for their assistance.
- Remember that people may not be who they seem. Because you can't see or even hear the person, it would be easy for someone to misrepresent him or herself. Thus, someone indicating that she is a 12 year old girl could in reality be a 40-year-old man.
- Remember that everything you read online may not be true. Any offer that is too good to be true probably is. Be very careful about any offer that involves you going to a meeting or having someone visit your house.
- Set reasonable rules and guidelines for computer use by children. Discuss these rules and post them near your computer as a reminder. Remember to monitor their compliance with these rules, especially when it comes to the amount of time your children spend on the computer. A child's excessive use of online services or bulletin boards, especially late at night may be a clue that there is a potential problem. Remember that personal computers and online services should not be used as electronic babysitters.
- Be sure to make this a family activity. Consider keeping the computer in a family room rather than the child's bedroom. Get to know their online friends just as you get to know all of their other friends.
It might be helpful to formulate a family contract that governs the use of Internet for both parents and children. Safekids.com has provided good examples of a family Online Safety pledge, which can be printed and posted near the computer. To view relevant links visit:
Safe Kids - Kids Rules for Online Safety
Safe Kids - Family Contract for Online Safety - Parents' Pledge
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