I believe the first step is to make children aware of the potential dangers of the internet. Just as it’s important to warn our kids about talking to strangers when they are out and about in the real world, so we should also teach them a few basic principles about their online conduct.
Specifically, I would suggest advising all children to avoid giving out any information about themselves, including their own surname, age, address, the name of the school they attend, the names of their friends, and so on. The less information a child gives out, the better.
Next, I would advise you to install filtering software on all of the computers that your child will be using to access the internet. I particular recommend Sentry Parental Controls which not only filters out pornography and other adult sites, but boasts a number of other useful features, including the ability to block social networking sites, Instant Messaging clients and receive alerts to your mobile if your child gains access to adult content online.
My third tip is to make sure you communicate with your child regularly about their online activities, and that you adjust your stance on certain uses of the internet as your child
Although none of us want to be looking over the shoulders of our children 24/7, we do all need to take online safety seriously. The internet is a great tool for learning, recreation and communication, but it can also be a dangerous place as far as predators and online bullying are concerned, so be a great dad and help your child stay safe.
