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The
Real Dangers to Kids Online and How to Avoid Them
by Joshua
Finer, Software4Parents.com
Did you know:
- 1 out of 5 kids has been sexually solicited online
- 1 out of 4 kids has been sent a picture of naked people
or people having sex online
- On 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
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Take computers out of kids' rooms and put them into
public areas such as the family room. Many parents think
they are helping with homework by giving the kids a
computer, but it also opens certain dangers that you may
be unaware of.
4. 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 "foxyteen5"
than "happygirl5".
5. 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.
About
the author: Joshua Finer, Internet Safety expert and CEO of
Software4Parents.com For free information on choosing the right
Internet safety product for your family, e-mail
choosing@software4parents.com or visit http://www.software4parents.com/choosing.html
This article provided by the Family Content Archives at: http://www.Family-Content.com
Copyright 2004
by Joshua
Finer .
Reproduction without permission prohibited.
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