Protecting Our Children Against Online Vices - Parental Advice

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The internet is such an integral part of our lives these days that our children are themselves with it as well. Internet does opens up so many educational and social opportunities, giving us access to, literally everything about the world - information and experiences. So be it at school, at home, on a personal computer workstation, a laptop, a netbook, a games console or mobile phone and etc., every adult and child are increasingly accessing the internet whenever they can and wherever they are. I can understand how lost some parents can be especially when they are so "raw" to this new age of information technology or digital age as some may call it. But, whatever it is I feel that parents today just cannot afford to give that "I-Got-No-Time" excuse to learn and familiarize with the internet anymore. As any good parent would do to protect their child in the real world, we will have to want and make sure that they are safe with whatever they are doing online as well. Like learning to cross the road, online safety is a mandatory skill and lesson for their precious lives as well. If every child understands the risks and is able to make sensible and well learned choices online, I am sure they will be able to get the most from the internet and stay safe whilst doing so – particularly from those heinous characters who might seek them out to harm them on the internet. So, just how do we actually go about protecting them and doing it effectively, if we are so misinformed and lacking the knowledge of that computer sitting in your house. How will you able to relate and have a open discussion with your child when you do not even know how to get online, what is an email, a browser, facebook, twitter or computer virus. It is never too late to learn and though that price tag on that computer may be quite a considerable amount, you should not be overawed by it as it is really a very useful and easy to use information and work appliance. Take a course or pick up a book and go hands on with your home computer and explore as much as you can. Next, we need to maintain an open line of communication with our children at all times, remind and be warmly open with them, that they will be able to feel comfortable opening up to you at all times. I can assure you that the best parental time control or filtering or monitoring software programs are mostly USELESS and not totally effective with their blocking capabilities to protect our child from undesirable sites and most of all undesirable people on the internet. So, nothing beats an open line of communication with our child where they can openly and willingly come to us when they have doubts or questions. Most of all, they should be taught that there should never be any secrets between and within the family especially with their parents. This is very paramount especially when we want to help nip the problem on the bud. Trust your instincts and never let or overlook your suspicions. If you find any odd behavior or anything of the unusual i.e. returning home frequently at late hours, always having extra classes or lessons, expensive or unusual gifts - remain calm but not ignorant. Try to find out and do your own investigative work. Ask questions if you have to but not in a conclusive and accusing manner. Always try to provide "what if" scenarios or create role plays for them, to think and react, so that you can understand how they would handle themselves when they are faced with these problems or situations. It is also the best time to correct or add some personal tip or two, for them to wise up. Teach them that, there's no wrong and harm in saying "No" especially when they are uncomfortable conscientiously and / or felt coerced. Encourage them to speak up and support them especially when their decisions could make them at odds with or be rejected by their peers. There are many subjects to think about and discuss with our children, the Internet is an unlimited, invaluable source of knowledge, communication and entertainment but should be constrained by acknowledged guidelines, caution and helpful control programs. I hope that this sharing will be of help for parents who are relatively new to computers and the internet. I would also welcome any positive suggestions or better still real experiences on how you overcame communication barriers between your child and you on the subject of online vices. Take care and have a great day.