Chat rooms and instant messaging are potential havens for online predators and opportunist on kids' weaknesses and innocence. Unfortunately, these means of communication are so popular among kids and it is very difficult, if not impossible to ban the use of these. So to make sure that you are still safe while using chat rooms and instant messaging, it is important that you understand properly the dangers of these services and the ways to avoid them.
Important Safety Advices for Kids
?Don't trust anyone you meet in the chat rooms. People aren't necessarily who they say they are online.
?Chat rooms often ask for profiles, make sure that you don't give personal information and leave as much blanks as you can.
?The best way to create relationships is by meeting people personally and not in the chat rooms. In this regard, it isn't safe to build relationships online and meet them personally afterwards.
?Choose moderated and child-friendly rooms. Stay in public chat rooms and don't engage in private conversation with people you don't know. Ignore any private messages from unknown people.
?If you entertain private chat, don't give any personal information such as your name, phone number, address, email address, credit card or bank account information, pictures, and school details. IM softwares aren't encrypted so sending sensitive information such as bank account or credit card numbers can be picked up by other users with the right tools.
?If you aren't comfortable talking to someone online, ignore his/her message. Stay away from people harassing you. Report them if necessary.
?Talk to your parents if you have experienced unpleasant or uncomfortable conversation to others.
?Don't use your real name; use a nickname.
?Don't use your primary email; use an alternative one.
?Don't allow other people to view your webcam. Don't use a webcam if unnecessary.
?Don't accept unsolicited files from other people. Disable automatic downloads. If you ask for a file, scan it first with your antivirus before opening.
?Listen to your parents.
?Don't engage in fighting with anyone in the room.
You may not follow everything stated above but remember this: you make consequence through your actions so better be safe at all times than suffer the consequences later.
Your child following the rules you set up for them when they are online is as important as knowing basic Internet safety practices.
Not following your internet safety rules should be treated as seriously as wearing a seat belt any time they get into a car. Its about being as safe and preventative as they can be.
Kids will break the rules for any number of reason. First, you need to find out what the reason was for the breach of the rules. If they simply forgot, reinforce them, one-by-one, again.
Two, clear up any mis-communication and expectations. Be sure that they are clear on your rules. Make sure they understand, in their language, what it is you are setting in place for them to follow. Be clear, give examples, and have them mirror back or repeat back to you what they hear and interpret the rules to be. Be gentle but firm. Then, restate that you want them to start following the rules right away.
If your child still isn't following your internet safety rules all of the way, one final warning is in order. Let them know that there are serious consequences to their actions. However, if you suspect that your child is communicating with strangers online, like those who may be sexual predators, bypass the final warnings, as your child may already be in over their head.
A valid response for repeated rules violations is banning your child from using the Internet. This is the strictest form of punishment and likely the one that will send the clearest message. If your child must use the internet for school, like for a school research project, only let them do so when you are sitting right next to them.
You can also block the websites that you want to keep your child away from. Blocking websites intentionally because you child won't follow your rules however, does not teach them to take a serious subject like Internet Safety seriously. It puts you in the role of being a cop and watchdog. They may then lack the skills and attention and responsibility for their own safety when they get back online.
You might consider a "middle ground" where they use the computer for a period of time when you are home or in the room. If they have their own computer, make them relocate it into a well traveled area, such as your living room. They could have these restrictions until they demonstrate they can and will follow your rules you put in place as their parent, for solid internet safety.
Both Jonathan Sin & Joyce Jackson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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