As a Mother, I believe in taking precautions and not taking for granted certain rights or obligations as a parent. This is doubly certain for the internet.
First, I just want to put out there that even your cell phones, tablets, game cubes, etc. can pose Internet hazards. It isn’t just the computer these days. I have heard of instances where children's’ friends bring their cell phones over and are sharing their “inappropriate things” with the Children in the bedroom or somewhere else off by themselves. I think our children are too priceless and important to allow them to fall victim to the pitfalls of the internet while they are in our care and keeping. They have all of their adult life to make their own life choices, let them understand the responsibility that comes with internet use. Give them direction and leadership so they don’t fall victim to the ugly side of the net. Covenant Eyes is a resource for Windows, Mac OS, Android, & iPhones, iPod, & iPads.
Online Safety Tips:
!) FAMILY COMPUTER – don’t allow anyone in the family to have access to the computer in bedrooms or private areas where they can be seen by everyone. I hate having the big ole computer desk in my family room – but, I want to make sure we are all aware of what we are all doing, at all times.
2) Limit Sites and Social Media – we are certainly aware of protecting our children's identity online. Filters are an excellent way of protecting your children from some real dangers.
3) Encouraging Productive Online Time: Education has it’s place in the internet and there are piles of free and priced offerings on the web to engage our children. You just need to make sure that the sites are safe and not inappropriate for YOUR children.
4) Communication: This is a big one – we have spoken to each of our children regarding what they should do if they DO come across inappropriate things on the internet/email/etc. They need to X out or shut the computer off. Then they need to come talk to us about what happened: ie what they were doing when it popped up (just so we know how to prevent it from happening again). We have told them that if they come talk to us right away we can discuss it and talk about it. If we come across it later, well, there will be consequences to hiding it.
5) Knowing passwords and Checking Accounts – This may seem like an invasion of privacy and a child’s rights – but, I know who I am ultimately accountable to for how and what I raise my children to be. It is a good idea to randomly check accounts and make sure what is going on.
6) Know what everyone is doing online and limiting access for certain amounts of time at certain times of the day. You can set parental controls that are password protected. Excellent for keeping your children safe even when you can’t be right on top of them.
7) Have a buddy system in place for younger children – if you can’t sit with them and help them then you need to ask an older sibling to help.
Whatever your internet family habits are, make sure your children are always safe from the ugly side of the world wide web. Educate yourself and then your children on all safety matters. I want to help them be effective, responsible adults and that includes helping them be accountable for their choices as children, youth and young adults. Sometimes, just helping children realize natural consequences to choices they make can help them be better equipped to be able to make better informed choices.
Make it a great one!!
About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Homeschooling Mother of 7 (ages: G13, G12, B10, G7, B6, B3, G2). Stepmom of 2. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton, Mattix and Andrew. Writer at BellaOnline. Blogger at Latter-Day Homeschool and JuddzWorld!! Happy & Satisfied!!
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