Three year olds online? You bet. The Internet truly has something for everyone, and kids as young as three years old are finding games, coloring pages and music online.
More than half of the homes in the U.S. that have high speed Internet access with an “always on” connection, which means that kids can get online with just a click of the mouse. But bad news can be just a link away, and kids can connect to material that is inappropriate, obscene and down right disturbing in less than one second.
Practicing Internet safety and teaching kids good surfing habits at an early age is the best way to lay a solid foundation for safety as they grow. Keep all the kids in your family safe by following these tips for making your family’s online experiences good ones:
1) Place the computer in plain sight. Bedrooms and basements are big no-no’s when it comes to finding the right spot for your family Internet connection.
2) Use a parental control. Young children can misspell words and accidently stumble upon something they don’t want to see. Software can block, filter, even record online activity.
3) Block specific websites. Set boundaries for sites that may not match your definition of family friendly.
4) Go with your child. Spend time surfing together exploring some age appropriate sites and watch your child play. This will give you a good read on their ability to navigate the mouse, read directions and handle frustration.
5) Make a family only policy. It’s tough enough to be responsible for your own child online, let alone someone else’s. When friends come for a play date, turn the computer off and go outside, pull out a board game or play dress up..
6) Don’t allow surfing when a parent is gone. This simple rule can help head off the temptation for kids to press the boundaries or family rules when Mom and Dad are out. Let babysitters, caregivers and grandparents know that the computer stays off when parents are out of the house.
7) Set online time limits. A time limit not only helps kids balance their activities, but allows the whole family to take turns. Use a kitchen timer or travel alarm clock to mark the time online.
8) Talk to other parents. It takes a village to raise a child, and some of your best defenses can come from joining forces with other parents. Broaden your experience and knowledge by sharing what you’ve learned and listening to fellow parents.
9) Use review sites. Organizations like Commonsensemedia.com reviews and rates websites and video games and can be a great resource for finding age appropriate game and website suggestions.
10) Dialogue with your kids. As new websites are created kids are the first to hear about them. Even if you’ve layed down ground rules, continue and ongoing discussion with your kids about online activities, ask about e-mail, new websites, and the buddies on their IM list.
11) Create a rule about downloads. Ask first, it’s as simple as that. Remind young kids that if they can’t read something, they need to call for Mom or Dad before hitting the yes button.
12) Choose a kid-friendly search engine. If you child is interested in surfing for information on dragons or roller blades, consider using a search engine specifically designed to screen out the bad stuff.
14) Check surfing history. A quick punk of the Ctrl and H buttons, and you can see where your kids have surfed and if they’ve accidentally found an inappropriate site. Check history regularly to monitor online activity.
15) Require clean hands. That’s right – the keyboard is a breeding ground for germs! Post a reminder right on the keyboard and keep anti-bacterial wipes nearby to minimize germs.
16) Stick to sites by trusted hosts. PBS. Discovery Kids. Disney. Visiting sites sponsored by familiar organizations you trust is a great way to get started online.
17) Post family rules nearby. Write ‘em down and stick ‘em up for all to see. Visual reminders will help younger kids remember the rules.
18) Don’t panic. If something inappropriate does manage to break through your defenses, an over reaction can scare kids and discourage them reporting future incidents. Instead, use it as a teaching opportunity to back up the need for family rules and boundaries. Encourage kids to let you know if it happens again and remind them not to be afraid to tell you.
19) Update your software. New viruses and spyware are created every day, so make sure to regularly update your anti-virus, firewall and anti-spyware programs.
20) Set a good example. Don’t spend hours surfing or plugged into an online chat session. Limiting your own time online will make you a role model for you kids.
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