Description:
Teaching Internet Safety: Tips for Parents
Many children are now using the Internet daily as part of their lives - whether it be at home, school or other places such as libraries and friends houses.
Keeping them safe when they are doing this is very important and can be achieved in a number of ways - one of the best being education.
Teaching children about Internet safety, however, should not be left solely up to schools or other groups. Effective teaching and learning can start in the home. It is here where parents can play an important role in influencing the decisions children ultimately make when they are online.
So what are the ways parents can teach children about Internet safety? Surprisingly, it is not that hard and a few simple tips will get you underway. Tips for Parents to Teach Internet Safety
1) Generate discussion and take an interest
Talking to children about the issues is a great way to help them understand the dangers and learn about the ways they can stay safe. Communication is the key - finding out what they are interested in and explaining what the dangers and ways to stay out of trouble are.
A good idea is to talk about general concepts to children and then concentrate on more specific issues. For example:
* Content - Inappropriate content that may appear on the screen; downloaded files etc. * Communication - Meeting strangers online; what to do if somebody contacts you when instant messaging; cyber bullying etc. * Commercialism - Online advertising; spam; scams etc. * Security - Viruses; spyware; hacking etc.
Try to make sure all the concepts and issues are discussed regularly as children's interests and online habits change as they get older and more experienced online.
2) Work through online safety education programs with children
NetAlert provides some great educational websites you can use with your children at home. These websites have been developed to make the task of teaching children about Internet safety not only effective but enjoyable as well.
Try the following innovative websites:
* Netty's World - Fun Internet safety website for 2-7 year olds.
Learn about safety issues to do with exploring the Net, getting things off the Net, using Smart Phones, putting things on the Net and making friends on the Net all in 'Netty's Net Adventure'.
Discover the five forget-me-nots of Internet safety (Get Help, Be Nice, Think Again, Stay Safe and Secure and Protect What's Private) and test yourself out in the 'All Star Quiz'.
Have fun playing the four interactive games included which reinforce the five forget-me-nots or join the Internet safety club where fun activities are delivered in the regular mail.
* CyberQuoll - Meet the 'Cousins from Hell' in this animated Internet safety website for primary aged children.
Play one of the six interactive episodes and learn about the issues of content, communication, online publishing and commercialism.
Many specific topics (such as cyber bullying for example) are covered along the way.
Both websites are designed to appeal to children and make teaching Internet safety for parents enjoyable. They are freely available to all members of the community and if needed can be supplied on a CD-Rom. Please contact the helpline on (1800 880 176 / [email protected]) for ordering details.
NetAlert is continually looking at ways to improve education programs for the community so please contact us with any suggestions you may have.
Other Websites
There are a number of other websites you may wish to use at home with your children. The Australian Communications and Media Authority provides CyberSmart Kids:
* CyberSmart Kids - Smart Net surfing for kids and their grown ups.
Other good non-Australian websites include:
* ChatDanger - Helps children learn about the issues of chat rooms. * iKeepSafe - Faux Paw 'Adventures in the Internet' (Animated Internet safety movie). * NetSmartzKids - Animated Internet safety education program.
3) Work in with programs that are going on in school
Cyberquoll has been distributed to all schools in Australia with primary school aged children. Find out what topics your children are covering at the moment and work in with those currently being taught.
Teachers are also using the NetAlert Internet Safety Wall Charts and Teacher Guides at both primary and secondary levels. Discuss with them the teaching strategies they are using and if any of these can be used in the home.
The NetAlert Expo is an Internet safety education and awareness program that is touring all States and Territories helping communities learn about Internet safety.
Find out if an event has been organised for your school community. Become involved and learn about ways to keep children safe online if sessions are planned.
If an event has not been scheduled to date, it is easy to request one for your community. Please visit the NetAlert Expo website for more details.
4) Let older brothers and sisters share some of their stories
Getting older children in the family talk about the experiences they have had can have a positive impact on younger ones in the family.
It is most likely the older children have experienced many of the issues of concern already and may have even developed strategies to deal with them. Sharing these thoughts can be very helpful to the younger children.
5) Always get help from NetAlert
If you ever stumble across a topic that you need help or advice on, contact NetAlert who will help you out. Contact the helpline (1800 880 176 / [email protected]) and let us guide you through the issue.
NetAlert also has many free resources available to parents which can be used to help with Internet safety at home. The Parent's Guide to Internet Safety and the Parents Internet Safety Toolkit can be freely ordered through the helpline. How do I find the time for teaching Internet Safety?
Everything takes time and teaching children about Internet safety is no different. If you feel you are are struggling to find time to put the above ideas into place there are a few things you can think about:
1) In their homework period
For most children a set period of time each night is devoted to homework. Why not in this period add in a small amount of time so you can teach Internet safety?
Negotiating a good time that fits in with other homework demands is a good way to go. This gives children a degree of ownership of what and when they are learning.
2) While they are on the Internet
The next time your child gets online at home, discuss the potential risks and dangers they may face. Talk through some strategies with them and provide them with answers to any concerns they may have.
3) Using time in a family activity
There may be a number of things that your family does together. It may be sitting down at the dinner or breakfast table, driving to work and school in the mornings or going on an outing over the weekend.
Perhaps a small portion of this time could be used to discuss Internet safety? So where to start?
You now have some teaching ideas and organised the time, but what topics do you start teaching? What issues are the most important?
Probably the best is to talk to your children about what they are currently doing online and agree on some ground rules for Internet use around the home.
Setting boundaries for children helps them clearly understand what they should and shouldn't be doing. Agree on the consequences if the rules are broken. Many Internet safety topics can be discussed as you work through the house rules.
To help you get started, you may like to use some of the family help sheets that NetAlert have created:
* Family Help Sheets
There are example and blank contracts and house rules to get your teaching underway.
Remember Internet safety education is a big responsibility and can not just be left up to others. Each child learns differently and the more education about Internet safety that can be done the better.
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