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Tips for responsible internet usage PDF Print E-mail
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Thursday, 22 January 2009 10:49
  1. Don’t put a computer with Internet access in your child’s room. Putting a computer with internet access in your child’s room, away from where you can see it, is asking for trouble. If you can’t see and monitor what your child is doing he or she is much more likely to get onto sites you don’t approve of. Place the computer in an area the whole family uses and where you can easily see and keep track of what your child is up to online.
  2. Create a list of rules for Internet usage. Sometimes it can be helpful to lay out the expectations of your child’s internet use on paper. Ensure your child knows what is ok and what isn’t and if you can, post the list near your computer.
  3. Make sure children know to never give out personal information. The Internet is rife with opportunities for personal information to become public knowledge. Ensure your children know not to give out any personal information while they’re online, including their name and address unless you’re there to approve.
  4. Encourage stranger danger lessons online. While most kids are aware of stranger danger when it comes to talking to people they don’t know on the street, many may not realize that same lesson carries over to the online environment as well. Ensure your kids know not to talk to anyone they don’t know online, in email, IMs or otherwise.
  5. Ask your child to create a list of the identities and emails of their friends. To make sure your kids are chatting and emailing safely, have them put together a list of emails and IM names that belong to their friends. This way you’ll know just who they’re talking to and if they’re chatting with someone unfamiliar to you.
  6. Ensure that children understand the danger of meeting someone they met online. Internet predators are out there but you can help make sure your child won’t become a victim by explaining to them to real dangers of meeting someone in person that they only know online.
  7. Set time limits on Internet usage. Don’t let your child spend all day or night online. Set time limits for how long they’re allowed to use the Internet and make sure they stick to them.
  8. Monitor your child’s browsing habits. Whether you sit by your child while he or she is on the internet, check the browser history or employ a tracking program, make sure you’re watching what your child is looking at on the internet to make sure they’re not seeing anything inappropriate or dangerous.
  9. Filter out inappropriate content. There are a number of ways you can filter out what your kids are looking at on the net. You can employ a prefiltered ISP, adjust browser settings or even install a program designed just to limit access to sites that are of questionable content for kids.
  10. Increase your security and privacy settings. Ensure that your computer is as protected as it can be from outside intruders and unwanted SPAM, malware and even pop-up ads to keep inappropriate material from making its way to your kids.
  11. Limit access by age. Remember that there isn’t a one size fits all rule when it comes to kids and the internet. Younger kids will require more limitations and should be allowed to use email or social networking sites without supervision. As kids get older, loosen up the reins a little while still ensuring that your teens are staying out of trouble.
  12. Find and monitor your child’s social networking profiles. You’ve no doubt seen the news reports exposing the potential dangers of social networking sites like MySpace. This shouldn’t mean that your child can’t use them at all, after all, they are a great way to keep in touch with friends. Just make sure you regularly check up on their profile to make sure nothing suspicious is going on.
  13. Respect privacy. While monitoring what your kids are doing is important, it’s also important to give them a certain measure of privacy. If they’ve never given you a reason not to trust them then don’t read all their e-mails or go through their files.
  14. Maintain trust. Make sure that you don’t cross the line with your kids and make them feel as though you don’t trust them. Give them the knowledge and skills to make good decisions online instead of constantly looking over their shoulders.
  15. Use the Web together. With younger kids, it may be a fun and safe idea to look at websites and play games on the internet together rather than setting your kids free on their own.
  16. Make sure photos stay private. These days it’s easy to take and upload pictures of pretty much anything. Make sure your kids are using photo albums and sites that are only accessible by friends and family.
  17. Have your children sign an Internet use contract. Lay down the rules of internet use in your household in contract form. Have your kids sign it and have clear consequences if they violate the contract.
  18. Learn about the Internet. It’s hard for parents to protect their kids from the dangers that lurk on the Internet if they know nothing about technology or how to use the net. This Website has been designed to help educate you about those pitfalls and dangers please look around this site and sign up as a member to receive our newsletter for free. 
Last Updated on Monday, 09 March 2009 09:28