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Sensible Internet Parenting
Safe internet usage in the long run can only be a result of sensible parenting. You could see it as a parent child partnership- a combination of dialogue and monitoring that allows your child to understand the environment and use technology well without falling prey to its dangers.
What you can do:-
Ø Learn more about the internet - become comfortable with the technology (you don’t have to become an expert).
Ø Make clear rules about the amount of time spent with screen based media. Children’s time with TV and computers needs to be kept in balance with time in the real world with real people
Ø Talk to your child’s school about their on-line policy - one that parents can also put into practice at home
Ø The computer that is on-line should be in a family area, not in a bedroom or behind closed doors
Ø Teach your child from a very young age to be a critical viewer, to understand and talk about what he sees and what it means. Help him to understand how advertising works
Ø Pay attention to what your child is doing. Keep track of what is going on by checking ‘Bookmarks‘ or ‘Favourites’ or the sites your child might be revisiting, eg ‘Options ’, ‘Preference’ or ‘History’ (via the icons on the menu bar)
Ø Teach your child to say "No" to messages and to leave a site that makes him feel uncomfortable
Ø Teach your child never to give out his name or the names of friends or to send images of himself over the internet - they may be used for other purposes
Ø Ask your child to talk to you before filling in any forms, questionnaires or competitions
Ø Encourage your child to only use monitored chat lines designed for his own age group and to be himself when on-line. If your child or teenager wishes to meet new on-line ‘friends’ in person, supervise the meeting to make sure that they are who they say they are and that your child is safe from abuse
Ø Encourage a careful approach to ‘information’ found on the internet. Remember it comes from many sources and not all is reliable
Ø Encourage your child to use chat groups or newsgroups or send email messages only with your permission and under your supervision
Ø Don’t let your child engage in on-line shopping
Ø As the internet can be addictive always set a time limit
Ø Your child may use the internet in a friend’s home, so choose carefully where you allow your child to spend time.
Internet is a way to communicate and a hand to reach out to Horizon’s we never imagined. By following these simple ways we can make the Internet a boon for our children.
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