The Internet offers information, entertainment, and
community. And just like any other place, everyone needs to be
prepared for unexpected dangers. The recent explosion in social
networking on the Internet offers unprecedented benefits. At the
same time, however, kids are engaging in very risky online behavior.
That is why it is important to be aware of what your children see and
hear on the Internet, who they meet, and what they share about
themselves online.
Just like any safety issue, it is a
good idea to talk to your kids about your concerns, take advantage of
resources to protect them from potential dangers, and keep a close eye
on their activities.
A federal law has been created to help protect children
while they are using the Internet. It is designed to keep anyone
from obtaining your children's personal information without you knowing
about it and agreeing to it first.
The
Children's Online
Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) requires websites to explain
their privacy policies on the site and get parental consent before
collecting or using a child's personal information, such as a name,
address, phone number, or social security number. The law also
prohibits a site from requiring a child to provide more personal
information than necessary to play a game or contest.
Even with this law, you are your child's best online protection.
By talking to your child about potential online dangers and monitoring
their computer use, you will be helping your child to surf the Internet
safely.
|
Online Tools
to Protect Your Child |
There are online tools that you can use to control your
child's access to adult material and online predators. No option
is going to guarantee that your child will be kept away from 100% of the
risks on the Internet.
Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) provide
parental control options to block certain material from coming in to
your child's computer. There is also software that can help block
your child's access to certain sites based on a "bad list" that your ISP
creates. Filtering programs can block sites from coming in and
restrict your child's personal information from being sent online.
You can also find programs to monitor and track your child's online
activity. It is also a good idea to create a screen name for your
child to protect his or her real identity.
|
Getting
Involved in Your Child's Online Activities |
