The Internet brings the world into our living rooms - the good and the not so good. How then should parents and carers best protect their children and ensure that they are using the Internet and chat rooms safely ?
It can be a tough job bringing up kids today. Having to keep them safe on the road, making sure they aren't bullied in the playground, helping them to make wise decisions. Then, just when you thought that your house was a safe place for your kids, along comes the Internet !
The Internet is like bringing a city into your living room and as a parent there are lots of places in a city where you wouldn't want your children to go ! You therefore need to "take the virtual trip together" just as you would in an offline world and help your children stick to the positive. This means you doing some homework and understanding the issues - especially how Internet Chat works and how your children are using it.
Internet parenting skills are very similar to other parenting skills, indeed helping children to be smart online will help them to remember the "stranger danger" rules and be alert to the dangers in the outside world.
BUT MY KIDS KNOW MORE THAN I DO !
Many adults can feel intimidated in using the Internet and are baffled by some of the terms and technology, especially about Internet Chat. While it is true that many children take to the Internet quicker than adults, children still need parental advice and protection. It is vital that you understand the issues and the simple safety steps you can take to help keep children safe. Don't put it off ! You don't need to know everything about the Internet and all the technical details - after all you can teach your children the importance of wearing a seat belt in a car without understanding how the car engine works!
On this site you can learn about Chat, why it is popular with teenagers and what you should be doing to ensure that your children keep safe online.