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by Joshua F. Finer, MBA - President, Software4Parents.com
Did you know...?
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1 out of 5 kids has been sexually solicited online
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1 out of 4 kids has been sent a picture of naked people or
people having sex online
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May 21, 2002 - the first death of a child that was
linked directly to an Internet Predator
Parents' biggest concern about the Internet used to be pornography,
but there is definitely a greater fear today.
You have probably taught your child not to talk to strangers, and
in many situations, they would remember this. But the Internet is
different.
Due to the Internet's anonymity, strangers are talking to children
all the time. They try to gain the child's trust by having friendly
conversation at first, but over time, their true objective of sexually
soliciting the child becomes evident.
Children and parents alike are unaware of this, yet this is exactly
what is going on via the Internet.
What can today's parent do? Armed with information, there's quite
a bit a parent can do.
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Protect
Your Children While They're Online
Software4Parents.com's
Top 5 Internet Safety Tips
- Tell your child to NEVER EVER reveal their name, address, phone
number or any other personal information to ANYONE online. Once
you give out this information, it is impossible to retract.
- Communicate regularly (not just once) with your child about
WHAT they do online and WHOM they talk to online. If you have
actually met the friends they are talking to in person, you'll
know it is OK for them to chat with them online.
- Take computers out of kids' rooms and put them into public areas
such as the family room. Many parents think they are helping with
homework by giving the kids a computer, but it also opens certain
dangers that you may be unaware of.
- Choose your child's screen name, email address or instant message
name wisely - don't' reveal ages, sex, hobbies, and CERTAINLY
NOT suggestive or sexy names. Predators are more likely to pursue
a child with the screen name "sexyteen5" than
"happygirl5"
- Use technology to help you protect your child. Monitoring software
gives you the ability to review your child's Internet usage. Although
some parenting experts have concern over violating children's
trust, others feel that this is very important. Even if you don't
look at each and every email or instant message they send, you'll
have a good idea if they are making smart choices online.
The Internet can open many doors and provide useful information
for children. An aware and informed parent can help keep children
safe.
©2002 Joshua
Finer. All rights reserved.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joshua Finer is a Pennsylvania State University MBA
and
nationally known Internet safety expert. As
President of
http://www.Software4Parents.com,
Joshua has been see on/in The Montel Williams Show, The Wall
Street Journal, The Christian Science Monitor, and other national
media. Joshua works and lives in Bucks
County, PA.
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