Would You Leave Your Child Home Alone with the Front Door Open?
Of course not. So why would you leave them alone on the Internet? After all, it's the virtual front door. And who knows anymore where it leads.
The latest study shows that social networking sites are not the culprit as much as chat rooms and instant messaging. Well that's just one study, and for every study that claims to have the answers, there's another one to dispute those answers.
Isn't this really about PARENTING? I know parents who won't let their kids watch television, but but have no idea what they are doing online for hours. The truth is there is great television for children (OK, I'm biased because I work in children's television!) and there are great web worlds, too. Moderation is the key, of course. Now I sound like my mother!
TALK TO YOUR KIDS. Find out what they like to do online, and while you're at it, why don't you find out WHY they like socializing online. I'm not suggesting that we parents become the police, but young children need supervision and they need to know we care about what they are doing.
Next time you hesitate asking your child what they're doing online, ask yourself this: would you hesitate asking them where they were going if they walked out the front door?
(c) Tom Schmucker. Image from BigStockPhoto.com
2 Comments:
As the parents of a 15 year old and 11 year old, we placed our computer in the living room for all to enjoy. The kids do not have passwords to get on the computer without supervision. No problems!!!!
I tihnk that is great but it needs to go one step further by checking out the history. You might not think your child has your password but I bet they do. As a computer company business owner I am amazed at what children the age of 6 can do with the computer nowadays. Be aware and make sure ALL of the accounts hidden and "clickable" are password protected.
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