Internet safety issues The fact is that 93 percent of kids are online. Even if parents limit or ban internet access, kids have access at school, through a friend’s smart phone, libraries, and schools. The internet is a tool that our children need to use and master with wisdom dispensed by parents. We need tech-savvy youth who will grow up to be leaders of the community.
Many schools use websites such as EdModo to connect students and teachers. My friend Reem is the vice principal of an Islamic School. She says that many teachers assign work from school that children need to research online. Some of the best homeschooling resources are online.
Far too many parents do not allow their children monitored access to the internet, leading to two scenarios. Their children end up lying and using it behind their back; or are so sheltered that they do not know how to conduct themselves online when they finally do get access.
On the other hand, more often than not, there are parents who freely give unmonitored access. But caretakers raising children in today’s world need to think about several issues:
• How does a parent know if his/her child is engaging in inappropriate Internet activities?
• How would a parent know if his/her child is cyber-bullied if he or she does not tell them?
According to Common Sense Media, “Young teens don’t yet have an “off” switch in their brains. That means that they often act impulsively. This lack of impulse control, combined with online anonymity, could lead toward dangerous behaviors: cyber-bullying, inappropriate photo or video uploads, illegal downloads, meeting strangers — even cheating. Because socializing is so important to young people, online interactions can become pretty intense — whether they’re playing games, chatting with friends, or sharing work.”
Using open communication and thoughtful intervention, parents can help their wired offspring learn how to maneuver electronic gadgets and the World Wide Web. Here are some tips on how to give children monitored access to the Internet:
• spend time with your children online.
• ask to see their social media pages. It may seem like a foreign territory, but it is imperative that parents talk to their children about social media. At this stage, it is not our job to try to protect them by isolating them. It is our job to teach them how to deal with information and with people.
• younger children often play on websites such as Movie Star Planet, Moshi Monsters, and new ones pop up every day. Most of these sites teach extreme consumerism as children ‘play’ to accumulate points or currency and use it to ‘buy’ stuff: furniture, VIP passes, etc.; urging your child to become ‘Rich and Famous.’ As responsible parents, we need to prevent children from becoming mindless consumers. If you do allow your child to visit these sites, then watch them while they play.
• teach them not to talk to or chat with random strangers. That person with a name Girlie45 could, possibly, be a middle-aged predator. Teach them that everything that they put online is there forever. Anyone can cut, copy and paste pictures and text. Teach them how to be safe online because today it is as important as safety basics about locking the door or not playing with matches. |