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Keep Your Children Cyber Safe!
Regulating Child's Internet Access
As educators and parents we want to create a safe and fun environment for
our children online. The internet is an incredibly useful educational tool that opens a world of
possibilities. However, there are many risks involved when our children are online. The Internet
contains sites that are designed specifically for adults such as www.myspace.com. These sites
expose children to inappropriate material while not imposing limitations on accessibility. The Toms
River Regional School District's Technology Department utilizes a filtering software program on its
networks to restrict inappropriate websites.
The following are some suggestions to help regulate your child's access on the Internet at home
and minimize any potential risks.
- Educate Yourself: Learn about the Internet if you are not familiar with it. Visit
your local library, community center, school or newspaper for more information.
- Be involved in your child's online experience. Be open with your children and
educate them on the dangers of the Internet. Let them know they can talk to you
no matter what. Spend time with your children on the computer and let them talk
to you about their favorite sites. Get to know their "online friends". Know your
child's email account and password.
- Place computers in a central place in the home, for example a family room or
kitchen, rather than a child's room. This can help prevent children from viewing
certain sites and gives you the opportunity to monitor the screen.
- Set family rules and guidelines. Create a Family Internet User Agreement.
Discuss the rules and post them by the computer. Make sure to monitor your
children's compliance with the rules. For an Internet user Agreement access the
following site:
http://wiredkids.org/resources/documents//safesurf_agreement.html.
- Use a software time-limiting tool to ensure time on the computer does not take
away from other activities.
- Utilize software that will block or restrict your child's access to certain websites.
This allows parents to limit their children's access only to sites that are rated
approved for children. You can set different restrictions for each member of your
family. Although these sites are helpful, they are not a substitute for parental
supervision and involvement.
Internet Service Providers such as America Online and MSN also offer filtering
options as part of their Service.
Online Safety Tips to Share with Your Children
- Never share personal information especially in chat rooms or bulletin boards such
as home address, phone number, age, school name, passwords or financial
information.
- Never post or email photographs of yourself without parental consent.
- Do not list your name or email address in any public directories.
- Never agree to meet someone in person without parental consent. If a meeting is
arranged after consent, make sure the first meeting is in a public place and
you are accompanied by an adult. Remember that someone online might not
be who they seem and may provide you with inaccurate, misleading and untrue
information.
- Never respond to inappropriate behavior or language. Do not accept emails, files or
links from people you do not know. Forward any messages that are inappropriate
to your Internet Service Provider.
- Be aware of Cyber Bullying, a new phenomenon with the advances in technology. Cyber
Bullies use e-mail, instant messaging, blogs, bulletin boards, chatrooms, profiles,
photo and videophones, text messaging and Web sites to antagonize and intimidate
others. Bullies can use the technology at any hour of the day to harass their victims.
Tips on dealing with an online bully:
- Tell the bully to stop contacting you and then do not reply to any
future messages, remarks or chats by the bully.
- Contact an adult that you trust.
- If possible, block the user.
- Stay out of questionable chat rooms.
- Keep copies of any emails or chats as evidence and forward to your
Internet Service Provider. Note the date, time and where you were
on the internet when you received the message.
- Log off the computer for at least 24 hours.
- If you feel like you are in physical danger, call your local police department.
Other Resources
For more information, please visit:
Web sites to visit with your children:
- NetSmartzKids
Fun, interactive games that promote cyber safety and teach kids what to watch out for online.
- Get Net Wise
Online safety guide, tools for families, web sites for kids, and more.
Information on cyber bullying:
- Internet Super Heroes
Smart, safe, and responsible surfing messages for children, teens, schools, and parents.
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