But the magic box in this generation is not the TV anymore. Whether you like it or not, your kids sure need the internet, especially that school is back! There’s a wealth of information in there and well, there’s also a lot of things you want your kids to avoid as well. However, at this day and age, you just cannot keep kids off the Internet!
But, as parents, of course, you want to protect them and make sure that the internet does not disrupt their studies. Here are some tips that would help you set some ground rules on internet usage at home.
1. Talk to your kids. Assure them that you can count on them to use the Internet responsibly. Kids need to feel that they are trusted. However, talk to them and set clear expectations with your kid on internet usage. Based on age and maturity, you might want to go over a list of websites needed for research. What search engines are needed? What sites are needed for fun? For social networking? Try to negotiate with your child. If your kid wants to have Youtube access or Facebook acess, you might want to put in schedules on when he or she can view such sites.
2. Common Computer Area. At your house, it is best that the computer will be at an open area, not secluded in your kid’s room. It makes them know that you are in the room, even when you’re not peering over their shoulders or spying on their activities.
3. Extra Security on Wifi. Take maximum security on your wifi. Make it as inaccessible as possible, especially at times that your child is studying, and especially that mobile phones can access mobile internet. You might want to change your password every now and then, in a way that your kid will ask access from you every time they will use it.
4. Software Filters. Use filtering software designed to limit certain website access. Some programs have monitoring features that can tell you when your kid is online, etc. While this may be effective on some, we suggest that this should not be a substitute for actual supervision and communication.
5. Communication. Inform your kid that you are using some software to track online activity. Reassure that this is not spying, rather it’s for the kid’s own safety. Cajole the kid that this is your job as a parent.
6. Stay Involved. Remain in close contact with your child’s teachers and counselors. Attend PTA meetings if possible to track what’s going on in the school. If there is trouble brewing among kids online, chances are it started in school.
7. Bully Talks. Bullying in school is a growing concern. And with the splurge of internet access and being able to hide your identity through bogus accounts, etc., there is such a thing as online bullying too. Some parents worry about their kid being bullied, but do not consider that their kid might be a bully. Talk about bullying in general, why it’s not okay, how bullying should be handled. Teach compassion and kindness. Assure them that if someone bullies them, they should talk about them to you, not necessarily you fixing the problem but being able to ask your advice first on what to do.
8. Engage in online activities with your kid. Okay, you don’t have to be a Facebook stalker. Try to have a common online activity with your kid—playing an online video game together, etc. which if of course, set on a weekend. Let him feel that you are an internet enthusiast yourself and that while you are setting limits at home, you are also sticking to them.
9. Some important discussions. Instruct your kid to never give out personal information online, including full name, gender, school, address, etc. Teach your kid how to be generic and anonymous and how to strengthen privacy settings.
10. Be current! Be updated on what your child is doing by knowing what they are doing. There’s no use that you are trying to protect your kid and he/she would turn out to be more adept to you in using the Internet. This way, your child will not overstep you on your ways to protect him or her on your Internet.
The Internet is a plethora of information, opportunity and, on its downside, abuse. Everyday, people are becoming more and more indulged at a younger age. What we are trying to say here is that, parents have an active role and should take part in communicating and guiding them. In other words, open and right communication creates a semblance of trust and camaraderie in the parent-child relationship that will make this process easier.
Sources: www.schoolfamily.com; personal opinions
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