Parents Internet Obligations

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11:05 AM Wed, Oct 11, 2006 | Permalink

How many parents reading this can say, "Yes, 100% of the time I know what my child is doing on the internet.." ? I for one, can't say that .
It's another major task added to the long list of what we parents ought to be doing to protect our children.
This week we all got a stark reminder of the importance of monitoring internet activity. Seven men were arrested in an online sting. They're accused of chatting online with a person they believed to be a young girl and showing up at a Louisville home expecting to have sex with that girl. Authorities tell us one of the men came prepared with viagra and condoms. All of this is scary enough but some of the statistics I've read about kids and the internet are really frightening.

One of the top rules for protecting your kids from internet predators and pornography is to keep the computer in a common room. Keep it where you can see it often. Keep it in full view of the family so the kids know that you know what's going on. Twenty percent of parents do not monitor their children's use of the Internet at all. An estimated 62 percent of teens report that their parents know little or nothing about their Web activities.
I've learned that internet predators take advantage of our lack of attention to the computers in our home. They know we don't pay enough attention. They know our kids are curious and they know we aren't asking enough questions about the e-mails and the chat rooms.
The facts are most kids are on the internet and a large percentage are confronted with questionable sites even if they don't go looking for them.
I've learned that one in four children has encourntered unwanted pornography.
Nearly 60 percent have received an e-mail or instant message from a stranger and half responded to the stranger's message.
So, these days with on-line perverts being arrested and members of congress sending "overly friendly" or "sexually explicit" e-mails to teenagers how can we keep up with the madness?
We could throw the computer out!!!! I actually thought about that but decided it isn't really practical. (I can just hear my child now). Your local computer store can recommend computer filters and software that will limit access to sites and monitor your child's activity. However, the number one safeguard for protecting your kids is talking to them. Communicate about the internet. Do they know how dangerous it can be? Do they know not to give out any personal information? Do they have more than one e-mail address? There are many other questions we should be asking.
As I reported Tuesday, the internet can be your friend in this battle to protect your child. I got a lot of information from the Los Angeles District Attorney's website. We have included many other helpful websites here at WHAS11.COM.
Now, the big challenge --- putting all that good information to use.
Let, me know what works at your house. We can all use some good advice.

3 Comments

Renee Bishop said:

I am a single mom with five children. Four of my children are teenagers. They all love to get on-line with "my space". Although presently we do not have access to the internet at home, when we do have internet, my computer desk is in the living room facing the middle. They know they are only allowed to be on-line for homework unless asking permission for some other activity on-line.
It's so hard trying to raise five children going to school full time but my policy is simple. The "Open Door" policy applies to everything in my house. My children know that I will keep doors open and they swing both ways. Especially when it comes to communicating with one another, and me knowing specifics of my kids daily lives.
I love my kids and they love me but sometimes they just know that I'm the MOM and everything goes by me.
I do feel that for the most part my children feel they can talk to me about anything. That feels really good...except my oldest and, well he is just my wondeful-look at him and see myself type of child that I adore despite what he may think (and probably will till he's about 30).
Thanks for letting me contribute.
Renee Bishop: erneejo@hotmail.com

November 1, 2006 1:23 PM

MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN said:

This is very importantant advice. I was a pro-wrestler for many years and the kids were my greatest fans and joy. I am also a father of four daughters and a grandfather of 6 3-boys and 3 girls
I worry about what is happing to America. Our teachers, leaders, clergy, and on and on are the ones we have to now worry about? These are the ones that are suppose to Protect our kids!
I write on different blogs on the Blogstream.
one of my daily post is: PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN
I try to speak to the young teens ond the new parents advising them about the DANGERS of the INTERNET. I myself have been hit many times by VIRUSES and unwanted sites that discuss me. I have tried to find out who is the sender is but have not been able to. there are some very good information out there such as
JOHN WELCH'S america's most wanted http://www.amw.com
He has a child section which should be viewed by both children and parents together you have done a great service by giving the information you have
I have warned the teens on my site not to give any information about where they live, their school, team, state, or if they're home alone, ect. because this can be backtrack and the Preadtor can find and hurt them!
We must Protect our children at all cost! put these beasts away! This goes for the FEMALE teacher who goes after the young student also she is a predator!
Thank you for letting me ad my voice to yours
MAN MOUNTAIN DEAN
deans_corner@yahoo.com

October 15, 2006 1:32 PM

ML said:

Great Blog !!

Let me tell you what works in my home, so far...
I have two teen boys. They both have myspace pages. When they asked me could they have one, I said 'sure, I will set your password " I keep their passwords. when they want to check the page I know when they are on and how long. I also set clear rules sush as, No friends that I dont know.

The friends they have on thepage are freinds from school or sports they play. Also, Theres no personal information given out to anyone. They don't say ' I go to such and such school or play for this team' I do not allow them to 'delete' mail, I read it.

This may seem like I am invading their privacy, I am !! They are 14 15 years old ! I am the mom, not the best buddy. They have doors on their bedrooms and I knock before I enter. Thats plenty privacy for their ages I think.

Many parents I know talk about how they can't 'figure out' how to use the coomputer for those things. BOO ! to that !! Anyone can do it. Parents should always have the passwords to their childrens web pages and chat clients. I do and it works. I check their pages weekly of not more. takes me 5- ten minutes and the boys think its cool.

There are FREE keylogger programs you can install on your computer that will send everything that is being typed and viewed on your computer to a specified e-mail address. Beautiful Free protection and information !! Just google " free home use keylogger" You'll get tons !

Don't be afraid to snoop in your kids stuff. They will thank you later for caring enough to know what it is they are up to and in to and with whom !

October 11, 2006 2:52 PM



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Parents Internet Obligations

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