School Safety Rules - Online Safety Tips for Kids

Internet and Back to School Tips that will Help Keep Your Kids Safe

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

There’s been so much news lately about kidnappings and children being molested by people they met on the internet. I'm the mother of two elementary school age kids, and for a lot of their homework they’re required to use the internet. How can I make sure my children are safe, even when they’re not with me and when they‘re on the internet?

Sincerely,

Love In The Time of Technology

A:

Dear Love In The Time Of Technology,

The best way to keep children safe is to stay informed -- and that doesn't mean just reading the newspaper. You have to know your neighbors and keep the lines of communication open. Neighbors who have been in a neighborhood for a decade or more will know the history of other neighbors in a way that newer neighbors won't, so talk to them.

Use your instincts when it comes to looking for signs to keep your child safe. Too many people have hopped on the politically correct bandwagon and as a result, have ignored their instincts. Fear and feelings of anxiety are often the yellow light that lets you know something is wrong.

Don't ignore your feelings.

Be conservative. If you're not sure, when it comes to children, err on the side of being conservative. Don't take a chance -- even a slight one -- with your child. The stakes are too high.

Check registries ... and more. There are registries of sexual offenders that are available for free to every citizen at your local police station. However, when someone is registered it means that they have been convicted and have registered. There are lots of sexual predators who are not convicted but who are not registered. Sexual predators who are convicted in one state, serve time in that state, and then move to another state, are not always required to register in that other state for a crime committed out of state. That's why it's important to use your instincts and your resources (other neighbors) as well as registries.

Back To School Means Back On The Internet

These days, there are many more back to school safety tips than just don't talk to strangers and don't take candy from anyone you don't know. There are many more dangers for children and teens than ever before, especially with the Internet playing a large role in your children’s education.

Online Safety Tips:

1. Recognize the technology boom. If you're still struggling with the VCR (does anyone still have one?), then you need to get with the program for safety's sake. Schools use computers and online websites regularly now. They also expect students to be computer literate, have computer access and use computer websites for homework. Be involved in your student's academic life, and know what teachers expect from your children in terms of online activity.

2. Find out about parental controls. Your internet service provider will be able to tell you what parental controls are offered to your child, and you will have the option to lock out unsafe websites and access to certain areas of the cyber-world. However ... understand that this is only on your computer in your home. Your child has access to computers at school, at public libraries and at friends' homes.

3. Unsupervised play-dates mean anything goes. Just because your little angel doesn't do anything inappropriate doesn't mean that the people he or she plays with don't, or that the family members of the people he or she plays with don't. Your child may have access to porn, unsafe websites and more freedom than you want for them on other people's computers. Know where your child is, with whom, and make your concerns clear to the supervising adult.

4. Don't be naive. Porn websites are not the only places your child may have access to inappropriate images and reading material. Ads for clothing companies that sell to tweens, teens and even children, have sexualized their content to lure in curious kids. Beware. But even better -- be prepared.

5. Monitor your child's browsing activity. Every now and then check the history of your child's browsing. Only allow them MySpace or other "club" site passwords if you have access to the password. There are creeps out there who lurk as teens, when they're actually adults looking for trouble. Your child may be the victim.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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