Internet+Safety+and+Appropriate+Use

Internet Safety and Appropriate Use Internet safety is always a concern for both teachers and parents. Technology is advancing everyday and kids are able to learn more about the computer than adults. Within the last few years, children are starting to become more advanced with technology than their teachers and parents. Many parents and educators have a false sense of security regarding Internet use because they view the computer as a safe educational tool. They believe that because children are at home or school, they are safe from harm. But this is not always true. As in all areas of children’s lives, you need to stay involved, keep the lines of communication open about Internet activities, and develop rules of safety. When you think about your children’s online activities, do you consider their cell phones? Children can send and receive images, e-mails, texts, and instant messages from their phones, which many parents and guardians do not monitor. However, you should consider cell phones an extension of the Internet and employ the same safeguards. About 75% of teens (12-17) carry cell phones. 1 in 3 teens (13-19) use their phones to surf the web. An acceptable use policy is a set of rules applied by the owner/manager of a network, website or large computer system that restrict the ways in which the network site or system may be used. Parents are always around today to constantly watch kids while they are online. Parents who want a little extra help monitoring their children online can get that help in parental control software. This software logs and monitors kids online and will notify parents if something is wrong. It has a quick review on the best parental control software.

Here are a list of helpful rules to use with children when allowing them access to the Internet: Online Safety Rules For Kids

Below are a few software that will help with maintaining internet safety for children
 * 1) I will not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, parent's work address/telephone number, or the name and location of my school without my parents' permission.
 * 2) I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable.
 * 3) I will never agree to get together with someone I "meet" online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and bring my mother or father along.
 * 4) I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents.
 * 5) I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way makes me feel uncomfortable. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do, I will tell my parents right away so that they can contact the online service.
 * 6) I will talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going online. We will decide upon the time of the day that I can be online, the length of time I can be online and appropriate areas for me to visit. I will not access other areas or break these rules without their permission.