Best ways to protect children online

United States
July 25, 2008 12:10pm CST
We know that the internet is a part of life and it will continue to be even moreso as time goes on. My question is what is the best way to protect your child online?
1 person likes this
3 responses
• United States
28 Jul 08
I do not mean to come off on being rude... But why are your young children on the internet playing? They should be outside playing or watching TV. If you want to set good habits for them early then it should be NOT using the internet in till they need it for school. When they get older and know right from wrong just talk to them about internet safety and about chat rooms and stuff like that. Have them watch that date line show. Where they go in chat rooms and talk to people. Really your kids should not be on the internet it is a big thing nowadays but for teens and adults not children. You should have them playing video games or something like that not on the internet!
• United States
28 Jul 08
Personally our daughter isn't "on" the internet at all currently, nor is she playing video games, we don't feel that either are appropriate for a 2 year old. But I do know that the things she sees me doing (ie if I had the computer in an office and not in the heart of the house she would see me going in to a room to do what I am doing on the net) will have a factor in her internet usage in the future. She will help me design her website for grandma and grandpa when she is old enough to "relay" what she did during the day, I want her to know how to download, edit, upload information but also want to show her what is good to upload and take pictures of ect starting at an early age. Unfortunately our children have to grow up quickly in today's world and I would be remiss to think that she is not going to understand more than I did at a youngr age. I guess my question was about computer saftey in general, and until they can type and read I agree it is not a huge concern but for me I think about 3 years in the future and how what I am doing today will affect her then...
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Jul 08
I absolutely agree and will definately impliment many of the things you said when the time comes!
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Jul 08
I just think children shouldn't be on the internet. It consumes to much time. My sister lets my nephew on the computer and that is all he wants to do is play games on the internet. I do not think it is safe at all. He does like going out and playing ball or anything. When i watch him i do not allow him to be using the computer. He shouldn't need to rely on the computer for pure entertainment. When kids get older like in middle school fine let them use it but watch what they are doing. Don't let them in chat room's or in places where they can talk to "strangers". I personally wouldn't 100% fully trust someone i CAN see right in front of my face that i don't know let alone someone i can't see. If you let your kid's use the internet that is your decision but i just suggest you strongly enforce rules a timed limit maybe a certain time of night they can't use the internet after. Just make sure you're kids are being safe about using the internet. Now in school they usually have class's that teach kids how to do basic stuff with computers. So they will get their education with computers. I know in my middle school we had a class that taught us that stuff. Everything else i know i found out on my own how to do it. Just make sure your kids aren't doing anything on the internet that can hurt them in the future. I would set the child protection lock also on your computer. It never hurts to make sure your kids are safe.
@tina2696 (127)
• United States
28 Jul 08
I have a 12 year old that spends some time on the computer. She has an instant messenger and has recently started some you tube thing. We keep the computer in the kitchen, that way I can always see what she is doing online.
• United States
29 Jul 08
I really do like the idea of the computer in the heart of the house!
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
25 Jul 08
We have a computer set up in the main heart of the house. We limit her to a certain amount of time. My daughter is 5. So she spends more time playing than online or on the computer. But we are trying to set good habits and limits now.
• United States
25 Jul 08
I agree my daughter is 2 so I want to start the habits now! thanks!