Advice

ADVICE

Be webwise!

Positive Parenting provides a salutary reminder of the dangers that remain online for youngsters ...

Parents, would you leave your child alone in a strange area, let them go into 'adults only' shops or meet a total stranger? But this is the risk you run if you allow your child to use the internet without supervision.

Today, modern technology can allow those who target children to enter your home and interact with your child via their PC. The internet has revolutionised the way we learn and communicate. The trouble is that with all the benefits, come real dangers for children.
So, parents and children, be webwise! Be aware!

The internet is used by many different people. Most are decent and respectful, but some may be rude, insulting, mean and even criminal. Take care to use the internet safely.

Possible pitfalls

The problems your child might meet fall into three broad categories:

Getting hooked, so they neglect homework, become a loner and stop mixing with friends or have other social activities.
Accidentally, or deliberately, click on to pornographic or offensive material
Getting into contact with people who have sexual fixations on children.

Know how your child uses the web

Children all need a certain amount of privacy, but they also need parental involvement in their daily lives. So make sure you know how your child uses the internet. Regularly ask them to show you the sites they access and check the history folder.

If parents could be sure that they would always be present when their child went surfing then they would have less reason to worry about the possible pitfalls. But life just isn’t like that, so you might also want to install protective software on your computer which, whether you are there or not, can stop specified types of picture, or words or access to certain Usenet Groups.
You can even prevent chatting. Usenet Groups and chatrooms have been known to attract paedophiles who pretend to be young people seeking contacts with other youngsters.

You should reach an agreement with your children about the amount of time they are allowed to surf. Most protective software will also allow you to control the amount of time they can access the internet. The ISPs (internet Service Provider) can advise you on this.

Some families have put the computer in a room which lends itself to easy supervision, ie a living room, or on the landing, but this may not be possible in all households. Think twice about allowing your child to have the internet in his bedroom.

If you discover any offensive material, do not delete it, save all disks, tapes and any related media. Then contact any of these below.

Internet Watch
Write to: Ruth DIXON, IWF,
5 Coles Lane, Oakington,
Cambridgeshire, CB4 5BA.
Phone: Hotline 0845 6006644
Fax: 0223 235921
E-mail: report@iwf.org.uk

NCH
Registered Office:
85 Highbury Park,
LONDON, N5 1UD
Tel: 020 7704 7000
Fax: 020 7226 2573

Childnet International
Studio 14,
96 Endwell Road,
LONDON, SE4 2PD
Tel: 020 7639 6967,
Fax: 020 7639 70227

Southern CRIMESTOPPERS
Tel: 0800 555 111
Call anonymously with information about crime

Ground rules for kids online

Chatting on the net, sending a picture, personal details, bank or credit card details are not a good idea without a parent’s permission.
E-mails that are rude, suggestive or make you feel uncomfortable should be ignored.
Never give your password to anyone, not even your best friend.
Before meeting a cyberfriend, tell your parents, take them with you the first time and always meet in a public place.
When online, if you see distasteful pictures or bad language, tell your parents.
If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		ADVICE Be webwise! Positive Parenting provides a salutary reminder of the dangers that remain online for youngsters ... Parents, would you leave your child alone in a strange area, let them go into 'adults only' shops or meet a total stranger? But this is the risk you run if you allow your child to use the internet without supervision. Today, modern technology can allow those who target children to enter your home and interact with your child via their PC. The internet has revolutionised the way we learn and communicate. The trouble is that with all the benefits, come real dangers for children. So, parents and children, be webwise! Be aware! The internet is used by many different people. Most are decent and respectful, but some may be rude, insulting, mean and even criminal. Take care to use the internet safely. Possible pitfalls The problems your child might meet fall into three broad categories: Getting hooked, so they neglect homework, become a loner and stop mixing with friends or have other social activities. Accidentally, or deliberately, click on to pornographic or offensive material Getting into contact with people who have sexual fixations on children. Know how your child uses the web Children all need a certain amount of privacy, but they also need parental involvement in their daily lives. So make sure you know how your child uses the internet. Regularly ask them to show you the sites they access and check the history folder. If parents could be sure that they would always be present when their child went surfing then they would have less reason to worry about the possible pitfalls. But life just isn’t like that, so you might also want to install protective software on your computer which, whether you are there or not, can stop specified types of picture, or words or access to certain Usenet Groups. You can even prevent chatting. Usenet Groups and chatrooms have been known to attract paedophiles who pretend to be young people seeking contacts with other youngsters. You should reach an agreement with your children about the amount of time they are allowed to surf. Most protective software will also allow you to control the amount of time they can access the internet. The ISPs (internet Service Provider) can advise you on this. Some families have put the computer in a room which lends itself to easy supervision, ie a living room, or on the landing, but this may not be possible in all households. Think twice about allowing your child to have the internet in his bedroom. If you discover any offensive material, do not delete it, save all disks, tapes and any related media. Then contact any of these below. Internet Watch Write to: Ruth DIXON, IWF, 5 Coles Lane, Oakington, Cambridgeshire, CB4 5BA. Phone: Hotline 0845 6006644 Fax: 0223 235921 E-mail: report@iwf.org.uk NCH Registered Office: 85 Highbury Park, LONDON, N5 1UD Tel: 020 7704 7000 Fax: 020 7226 2573 Childnet International Studio 14, 96 Endwell Road, LONDON, SE4 2PD Tel: 020 7639 6967, Fax: 020 7639 70227 Southern CRIMESTOPPERS Tel: 0800 555 111 Call anonymously with information about crime Ground rules for kids online Chatting on the net, sending a picture, personal details, bank or credit card details are not a good idea without a parent’s permission. E-mails that are rude, suggestive or make you feel uncomfortable should be ignored. Never give your password to anyone, not even your best friend. Before meeting a cyberfriend, tell your parents, take them with you the first time and always meet in a public place. When online, if you see distasteful pictures or bad language, tell your parents. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.