Parents today have to watch out for their children in ways that wasn’t a concern only a generation or so ago.  While the computer age has brought about a number of positive changes in our society, it has also created a number of potential problems that parents must guard against to keep their children safe from possible predators.  

Most people have heard of, or seen, the 20/20 series which attempts to catch internet pedophiles red handed and to show parents how easy it is for their children to become victims. It is extremely easy for people to pretend online that they are something that they are not, and children may not have the life experience to be able to tell when something is amiss in their conversations with “friends” online. Young teens may be acting out and find themselves in over their heads in a hurry. And it isn’t just predators online that can pose problems for kids. Cyberbullies can also make life miserable for a child and leave them unsure of how best to cope with the situation.

Many families have set up rules about how long a child can be on the internet and appropriate internet usage.  These guidelines should be individualized for each child and family, but all chat room visits and discussions with strangers online should be strictly monitored especially in cases of younger children. Many families keep the computer out of their kids’ bed rooms and in a family room to keep an eye on online communication more easily. If you have concerns about your child’s internet behavior, you can glance through the history of the websites that they have visited to get an idea of where they have been spending their time. Encourage open communication with your children about what they experience online and be ready to answer any questions.  A little precautions will help your child enjoy the internet safely.