Runnymede College Noticeboard

Internet Guide for Parents

Monday, November 06 2006 @ 05:00 PM CET

Some ideas on how to ensure a safe and healthy use of the internet:

• Negotiate a reasonable amount of time that can be spent on the Internet, and agree a designated time slot. Chatting can quickly become an addiction and start to affect homework, social life in the real world and behaviour in general.
• Set firm limits about what sites they can visit on the Internet It is important to discuss with them what is ok and what is not when they are online. In relation to these first two points, clear (and reasonable) consequences for rule breaking must be stated.
• Make sure you know about, or find out information about chat rooms, msn, personal web space sites, etc.
• Talk with your children about internet safety. They are young and curious, and it’s important that they have a clear idea of the risks involved. Get them to teach you about the sites they use.
• It is essential that they receive the clear message that they must not give any personal information to strangers online.
• Encourage them to come and tell you if they have any problems or worries about their experiences online. When they do, listen to them carefully and try to give practical advice about how to solve the problems encountered. Help them to use blocking and filtering tools. Avoid blaming them, or punishing them by removing computer access unless clear rules have been broken – you might be punishing their honesty, not their transgression.
• Find out about software to block sites that you feel are inappropriate:
  • Set up different user accounts (operating systems have some limited controls)
  • Internet Service Provider may have parental control (e.g. Teléfonica has Canguro Net)
  • Your router may have parental controls
  • Restrict chats and e-mails
  • Restrict downloads, Restrict timings
  • Monitor software (after the fact)
  • Beware: false sense of security is worse than sense of insecurity. These are all aids not remedies.
• Have the computer in a place where the screen is visible to anyone in the room, and take an active interest in the use that they make of the internet. Learn from each other.

0 comments

http://www.runnymede-college.com/noticeboard/article.php/20061106173159653