OT - Internet Safety for Kids

[KAK22]

I know this is off-topic, but I thought some people might know where I can find additional resources regarding Internet safety for kids. I have to do a presentation (less than 20 minutes) for K-6 parents regarding Internet safety.

Any resources?

Thanks!

[Simplysomething]

I don't have any sources for you, but a big one is to just hammer down the point that parents need to pay attention to where their children are online and who they are talking to. Tell them that while there is software that is intended to block certain objectionable material, it can't replace the parent's eyes. Etc.

Good luck on the presentation. Was it to be 20 minutes long, or 20 minutes from when you posted?

[Wineaux]

I don't have any sources for you, but a big one is to just hammer down the point that parents need to pay attention to where their children are online and who they are talking to. Tell them that while there is software that is intended to block certain objectionable material, it can't replace the parent's eyes. Etc.

Good luck on the presentation. Was it to be 20 minutes long, or 20 minutes from when you posted?

Keep in mind that the blocking software is pretty easy to defeat once a kid reaches a certain level of computer proficiency. Not only that, but the blocking software also tends to block out good websites as well that your kids will want to access for school. For instance, sites dealing with breast cancer tend to always be blocked. Online resources for gay and transgendered kids get blocked too. That sort of thing.

A very valuable tool for a parent is to install a keystroke logger on your child's computer. This will allow you to see every website they have visited, IM's they have sent, full chat room logs, as well as emails they write. If they type it, you can see it after the fact.

[Jeanum]

Ditto to what Simply suggested, and here's a link to a site that may be useful:

http://www.netsmartz.org/

Good luck with your presentation.

[KAK22]

I only get 20 minutes to present to the parents. It is for parents who actually come to the learning night and choose to come to my session, so unfortunately they are probably the parents who are already diligent about watching their kids.

I don't really know much about the filtering software, so I was going to focus on keeping the computer in a public room of the house, if a child ever quickly minimizes or closes a browser window when a parent enters, etc. I also have "contracts" that both the parents and children sign about appropriate behavior for the Internet. I want it to be about teaching the child what is ok and what is not.

Thanks for the Netsmartz link - that is actually the curriculum we are using with the K-6 students!

[Wineaux]

Check out Spector Pro and eBlaster if you want to keep tabs on what your kids are doing on the internet, even while you are away from home.

http://www.spectorsoft.com/

[Morganthe]

Another major point is educating children from a young age (and this is really hard to do) to not share every bit of information about personal lives. They are very trusting and just do not realize how information such as
Parents occupation and/or income
House type & location
Age of them or family members
photos
city or school location
hobbies
daily schedules (school and at home)
etc...
Can be used against them or their families by really nasty people for Identity theft, pedophilia, and other criminal activities.

It is very difficult for a child or even teenager to truly understand that not everyone is who they seem online.
good luck on your presentation.

[skipspin]

I have worked with teens (who know more about the computers than their parents!) a lot and a very good filter program is Safe Eyes. You can google it. Yes, it sometimes blocks "okay" sites and can be a pain, but the Admin can allow them individually. You can also get email useage alterts and if you turn it off, you can't get online at all. So, it's a better option for teens than some of the simpler versions. You can also have different users so mom and dad can have different restrictions (or none) from the kids.

It's really scary how many kids have computers with internet in their rooms with absolutely NO accountibilty or protection these days! We see it all the time and the outcome is not usually good.

[Simplysomething]

Keep in mind that the blocking software is pretty easy to defeat once a kid reaches a certain level of computer proficiency. Not only that, but the blocking software also tends to block out good websites as well that your kids will want to access for school. For instance, sites dealing with breast cancer tend to always be blocked. Online resources for gay and transgendered kids get blocked too. That sort of thing.

.

I know, hence the "nothing replaces a parents supervision" thing.

[Wineaux]

Software only solutions are great up to a certain age and the users computer knowledge. Then, they are pretty easily defeated. You might want to look at this hardware solution as well.

iBoss and iPhantom (http://www.iphantom.com/iBossProduct.html?gclid=CKOSvO7p4okCFSPngAodyWhVFQ )

These products along with a keystroke logger will really help you out. Above all, as has been mentioned before, keep your eyes open! Keep the PC out in the family room and not in the child's room. Walk by regularly and see what your kids are up to on the computer. Talk to them about the dangers of the internet such as online predators, scammers, phishing email and websites, identity theft, and the like. Communication and vigilance is the key here.

[vamom]

There is a dvd available for kids about this too. It is by John Walsh and the lady that founded Baby Einstein. They also have a dvd on stranger safety. I saw some clips that looked promising. Check it out at www.thesafeside.com