Keep Out of Reach of Children - Internet Safety

"The First World Main Problem : I lost my internet connection."

The real first world problem.

Ever got the feeling when you lost your internet connection? The dudes feel like this!

Feel the pain of losing the internet...

The Internet can be a wonderful resource for kids. They can use it to research school reports, communicate with teachers and other kids, and play interactive games. Kids who are old enough to punch in a few letters on the keyboard can literally access the world.

But that access can also pose hazards. For example, an 8-year-old might do an online search for "Lego." But with just one missed keystroke, the word "Legs" is entered instead, and the child may be directed to a slew of websites with a focus on legs — some of which may contain pornographic material.

That's why it's important to be aware of what your kids see and hear on the Internet, who they meet, and what they share about themselves online.

Just like any safety issue, it's wise to talk with your kids about your concerns, take advantage of resources to protect them, and keep a close eye on their activities.

The Internet is a real community of people who are connected by computers, so treat people that you don't know on the Internet as strangers that you might meet in a street.

Internet has a lot of browser kids and adults can look up in to. But regardless of what browser they’ll use the security is still up to the people supervising them. And since internet is such a complex thing here’s a little tips for parents to use for them to supervise their child on the internet:

Be NET-SMART!

Do not give out any personal information related to your family, friends or yourself like full names, addresses, telephone or mobile numbers or those of your parents. Other information like the name and location of your school or details of school activities can also identify you to others, whether you are in a chat room, message board or newsgroup. Sometimes there are people who watch out for such information, and they can put together a picture of your activities over a period of time that could be several weeks. So be careful with what you say, and never give out your personal details.

Be aware when choosing your chat username or email username not to pick a provocative name as you would be more likely to be sent provocative emails or harassed online.

Never agree to meet someone whom you've met through the Internet, in real life without your parent's permission, and if they agree, never go alone, but go with a trusted adult.

Use your common sense. Someone you are chatting to may not be who they say they are.

Do not fill out forms online without consulting your parents or teachers. There are websites which seek personal information and which use this information for marketing or other commercial purposes.

Always check a website's privacy statement. Click here to see the WISE KIDS privacy statement. This describes what a website will do with your information.

Do not open an email from someone you do not know as you may download viruses (which even come from people you do know), or it may have contents that can upset you.

Many chain emails or emails with virus warnings are hoaxes. Before you forward virus warnings to your friends and family, check that it is not a hoax.

Never send pictures of yourself or any other personal material to a friend you met online without consulting your parents first.

Always tell your parents/teachers if you come across stuff on the Internet which makes you feel uncomfortable, or if someone on the Internet harasses you or threatens you.

Never respond to provocative, rude, obscene or threatening messages (whether in chat, newsgroups or message boards) which make you feel uncomfortable. Tell your parents or teachers about such messages and where possible, save a copy of the message so that your parents or teachers can forward it to your Internet Service Provider, or use it to make a police report.

Always assess the information you read on websites. Because it’s on the Internet does not mean that its always truthful information, especially when it comes to health issues, or when you are doing research for homework. Check that the website you are getting your information from is a reliable and reputable one, not one built on hearsay. Click here to find out how to assess emails or website content.

When subscribing to public newsletters or programs like media plugins or downloads that require you to give out an email address, use a separate email address from your personal one. This will lessen the number of unwanted emails that you receive.

Be responsible and ethical when using the Internet whether at home or in a public online centre or cyber café, for e.g. not plagiarizing information from the Net, using the computer equipment responsibly, not causing harm to others through your online activities.

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Y U NO DO ANYTHING ELSE!

 My 9-year-old son spends a lot of time on the computer surfing the Internet and instant messaging his friends. But I worry about him getting into trouble with strangers online. What can I do to protect him? – Brian

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THE ANSWER!

Simple surfing and instant messaging with friends are common activities for kids — and generally safe, if you've discussed some rules of use with them. Chatting with strangers, however, may be a different story. Although there's no way to know the actual risk, the FBI cautions that kids whose Internet activity isn't monitored are most at risk for being exploited.

Keep the computer in a common room in the house, rather than in your son’s bedroom. Take an interest in the sites your son is visiting and the people with whom he is chatting (some shady characters pose as kids or teens in chat rooms to seem less threatening). Warn him never to give out his personal information (his phone number, name, address, school name, etc.), agree to meet in-person anyone he meets in a chat room, or share any photographs.

OH YEAH! Internet safety for my son!

Urge your son to introduce you to any new "friends" he meets online and to tell you if he ever feels uncomfortable about conversations that take place. Most important, talk to him about the dangers of interacting with strangers online and remind him that people online often don't tell the truth. The FBI also recommends that parents maintain access to young kids' online accounts and randomly check their email.

Finally, you can use parental controls offered by your internet service provider or through blocking and filtering software.

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Because Internet Safety does not only start with your Internet Browsers.

Careful on browsing the World Wide Web fellow 9gaggers and readers!

-seems legit to me :)