Tips for Internet Savvy Kids

If your eight year-old has had to show you how to send an email or install software on your computer, you're not alone. Today, kids are much more technology-savvy than their parents and grandparents. If this sounds like your kids, you should be proud, and a little concerned. Here are several things you should know about your kids and the Internet.

  1. The Bad Stuff Is Free

    • You probably know that pornographic images, videos and articles are available online, but you might think your kid is safe from these things because you have to pay for them. Unfortunately, this isn't true. Google a string of naughty words and you'll be astonished at the results, and how accessible they are.

    Identity Theft Can Happen To You

    • Your kids have probably used their email address, physical address, phone numbers, and even social security numbers to gain access to websites on the Internet. These days most websites offer free content but ask that you register some of your personal information. Many of these sites are on the up-and-up, but some are using your personal information, selling it to third parties and maybe even identity thieves. What's just as bad, your kids might be using your information instead of their own. There are also computer viruses, spyware and malware that not only compromise your personal information, but they slow down your computer -- in some cases ruin it -- and may spread to everyone in your email contact lists.

    A Chat Room Can Be a Dangerous Place

    • Your twelve year-old thinks she's chatting with another kid her age from the other side of the country, and maybe she is. But it could also be a forty-year-old predator that lives in the same town. Scared? You ought to be. Children are solicited, assaulted and kidnapped every year, and one of the easiest ways for predators to find them is through the Internet. This may happen because the child either agrees to meet the person outside of the home, or the child gives away enough information for the predator to find her.

    How To Keep Them Safe

    • The first step to take is to talk with your kids. Regardless of their age, set rules and restrictions on Internet usage. You might have a "no chat" rule, or rules about who it's okay to chat with. It would be best if you gave them a list of things not to disclose on the Internet, like their full name, age, phone number, address, social security number, and any details about where they go to school or other places they frequent. Remind them its never okay to use credit card numbers or the information of other people online -- credit cards may be used on secure sites, but should be done by adults only, and even then when assured the site is what it claims to be. Make sure they know the reason why they shouldn't tell a stranger even small details, which could be exploited to find the children. You can also install software on your computer (or all computers in the home) that restricts kids from going to certain websites, or opening programs that might compromise security (such as chat clients). There are literally hundreds of these programs, some of them free or free to try, that help parents restrict computer access. Also good to have are programs that protect you from viruses, spyware and malware. "Spysweeper" is one such utility, and the "AVG" program offers good virus protection. You may also want to have a program that wipes personal information from your computer, such as "Eraser." You can browse thousands of tested and trusted programs available for download at CNET.com.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Good Restaurants for Babies & Kids
      Taking your kids out to eat can be a hassle, especially if theyre still young. The noise, the mess and sheer amount of stuff you have to take along can make dining out more trouble than its worth. However, taking your baby or child to a restaurant he
    • How to Supplement Your Child's Education
      Supplementing your childs education at home gives you a chance to expand on the concepts he learns at school. At home, your child is the only student and you can take this opportunity to tailor learning to meet his needs in creative ways. You could t
    • How to Choose a Jungle Gym
      As of 2012, nearly one-third of American children and adolescents were overweight or obese. Many parents, hearing reports of the potential health ramifications of child and adult obesity, purchase jungle gyms and other playground equipment to give th