Do you know that unless you monitor the internet usage of your children they might be at the risk of cyber predation?
Just like the two sides of the coin, internet also has two sides.
The positive side is the knowledge your children gathers through internet. Your children learn many new things through it.
But there is another dangerous side to it. Porn sites, cyber predation, addiction to social media are all major concerns modern parents like you have.
It is a fact that computers rule the world. Like all parents you too want your children to be a computer savvy.
- “My child knew how to download video games at the age three itself.”
- “My child knows more about computer than me.”
These are some of your proud proclamations about your children’s computer knowledge.
Good!
But do you monitor the internet usage of your children?
You don’t.
You assume that your children are browsing the internet to improve their knowledge.
But unknown to you they might visiting unwanted sites. Your children could also be exposing personal details to an unknown cyber predator.
As a good and responsible parent, you should monitor the internet usage of your children. Especially when your children are underage.
Do you know too much internet activities affects the behavior of your children in many ways?
- They feel more comfortable browsing the internet than interacting with you.
- Your children become addicted to video games which mostly displays violence.
- Your children might fall prey to cyber predation- the most dangerous aspect of internet.
The murky side of your children’s internet activities can cause irrevocable damage to their character.
You are now worried, aren’t you?
Do not completely deny your children access to internet. A ‘no’ to internet usage means you are denying your children the most advancedtechnology which can make them well knowledgeable and well informed.
The only option before you is to monitor the internet usage of your child
Simple ways to save your children from cyber predation
1. Allow your children to access the internet before your presence. If you have any doubts about the sites your children have visited, have a look into the site history.
2. All internet browsers have a record of the sites that has been visited. Check your children’s browsing history. Make sure they do not visit unwanted sites.
3. Install software to monitor the internet usage of your children.
4. Though there are many technical ways to monitor the internet usage of your children, you cannot prevent them from visiting unwanted sites from their friend’s home or browsing centers.
So, guide your children to be beware of cyber predation.
5. If your children are underage make sure they do not have a Facebook account.
When your teenage children have a Facebook account, ask them not to befriend strangers when a friend request is sent.
6. Keep a check on the photos your children are sharing with their friends. Make sure the photos do not identify any specific locality.
7. Do not keep the computer in your children’s bedroom as it gives them unwanted freedom to browse unwanted sites.
8. You are not being interfering when you monitor the internet usage of your children. As a caring parent you are just being careful about their safety.
9. Advice your children that their inapt content\pictures could cause irrevocable damage to their future life if it is noticed by their school\college\management. Tell your children that once their content or picture goes online it stays there.
10. Your children should be advised not to participate in online quizzes and contests. These contests usually ask many personal questions. So, ask your children to get away from sites asking personal details.
11. Have restrictions in the usage of mobile phones also. Nowadays smart phones have become an obsession with the modern youth. Tell your children to use it for particular hours.
But be very cautious to make your children understand that you are not spying on them.
Have a friendly talk with your children that you are doing it for their own good.
Tell your children that you are very anxious to save them from cybercrimes and cyber predators.
Have your children visited inappropriate sites not suitable for their age?
Do not abruptly order your children to never use the computer.
Do not yell at your children and make them feel angry and resentful at having been caught red handed. Have a friendly talk with them about the true values of life.
When there is any news about cyber-crimes, you must inform your children about it. Do not threaten your children when you know about their unwanted internet usage. It makes them feel that you are too interfering.
Are you a parent who allow your children endless time to browse the internet as that they do not disturb you and you can have your much-needed rest?
You are being a bad parent.
Are you also glued to your smart phones and laptops without interacting with your children?
You are setting a very bad example to your children.
Do you buy your children smart phones with internet connections when they are too young for it?
Yet another parental blunder.
Do you feel not having an internet connection will safe guard your children?
You are wrong.
Your children will visit cyber cafes along with their friends. The dangerous thing about this is that they are now among children of their age group. They are also away from your prying eyes. This can encourage your children to visit sites you had advised them not to log into.
This is where you step in as a good parent.
- Spend quality time with your children.
- Do not make your interaction with them boring by preaching them.
- Do not talk at your children, asking them to do this and that.
- Talk with them like a friend
- Do not keep advising your children.
- Play with them.
- Be the best friend of your children.
- Be a great listener to your children’s eager interaction.
Conclusion
“When you were growing up, your mom and dad told you to look both ways before crossing the street, or not to get into a car with a stranger. It’s is the same with the internet. We have a big responsibility and a huge role in bringing all the stakeholders to the table- users, parents, educators, law enforcements, government organizations.” – Chris DeWolff
Yes!
When you are a friendly parent your children adore being with you. Only lonely children find a friend in computer. But loved children always like to spend time their parents.
The internet activities of your children should be useful and knowledgeable to them. As a dutiful parent make your children understand the true wealth of the internet. But as a caring parent you should advice your children about the lurkingdangerinit.
Leave a Reply