Internet Security

Teaching your children about internet security is as vital as teaching them to look both ways crossing the street. The internet is a wonderful tool, allowing children easy access to a world of information. However, it allows the world access to your children. It is easy for an adult to misrepresent him or herself, so that the 11 year old girl your daughter thinks she is talking to on line, is really a 25 year old male. Banning the Internet is not the answer, Internet Security is.

Teaching internet security is essential because the internet can be accessed from anywhere, the library, a friend's house, or a cell phone, not just your home PC. Children need to be taught internet security so they can safely use this valuable tool.

Internet security rules must be taught to children when they are young. Many Kindergarteners are on the internet and need to know the basics of internet security. The rules must be re-enforced often, through-out the time when your child leaves for college.

Examples of basic Internet Security rules might be

• NEVER give out your name, address (even town name), phone number or school on-line. Consider having your children use false information, should this information be required, i.e. to sign up for an e-mail account.
• NEVER post a picture of yourself with any details of yourself in the picture. For example, never post a picture of yourself with your letterman's jacket on, because now a predator knows where you go to school.

Internet Security must be a part of your everyday conversations at home. Children of all ages must learn to make their Internet Security a priority!