kerri

Cyber safety starts with the parents in the home. Many families have new computers during this time of year, and many kids for the first time may be getting computers to help them with their school work.

Some simple things to do as a parent to help the family with computer safety are easy to implement. The problem is to be firm against the kids who want to take the computer to their own rooms. Do no allow this! Simple. Keep the use of computers in the main area of the homes. Keep a watchful eye on what they are surfing on the net. Set up a computer friendly area in your family area. Instead of having them on their desk in their own room it may be time to bring the study area into the main living area of the family. This is something totally new to previous home designs, but it may be necessary given the information age that we are facing and the prominence of cyber stalking and cyber crime on the net.

Watch what sites your kids visit. It is not ok for them to be 'free range' on the net. You would not drop off a 14 year old in a nightclub area at 10pm at night, yet we let our 14 year olds surf through the net without a check. It is the same danger just worse, it invades your own home. The internet is a very addictive medium, so limit their exposure to certain times of the day and for a limited period. Do not allow them to be free range on facebook and twitter and other social sites. These are a prime place for abuse from predators.

Remember it is now time for adult intervention for our kids on the net. Everyone must be vigilant on what happens on the net and remember, safety starts in the home.!