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The Real Dangers to Kids Online and How to Avoid Them

By Joshua F. Finer, MBA - President, Software4Parents.com

Did you know...?

·1 out of 5 kids has been sexually solicited online
·1 out of 4 kids has been sent a picture of naked people 
or people having sex online
·that May 21, 2002 there was the first death of a child 
linked directly to an Internet Predator? 

Parents' biggest concern about the Internet used to be 
pornography, but there is definitely a greater fear today.

You have probably taught your child not to talk to 
strangers, and in many situations, they would remember 
this. But the Internet is different.

Due to the Internet's anonymity, strangers are talking to 
children all the time. They try to gain the child's trust 
by having friendly conversation at first, but over time, 
their true objective of sexually soliciting the child 
becomes evident. Children and parents alike are unaware 
of this, yet this is exactly what is going on via the 
Internet. 

What can today's parent do? Armed with information, 
there's quite a bit a parent can do.

Software4Parents.com's Top 5 Internet Safety Tips

1. Tell your child to NEVER EVER reveal their name, 
address, phone number or any other personal information to 
ANYONE online. Once you give out this information, it is 
impossible to retract.

2. Communicate regularly (not just once) with your child 
about WHAT they do online and WHO they talk to online. If 
you have actually met the friends they are talking to in 
person, you'll know it is OK for them to chat with them 
online.

3. Take computers out of kids' rooms and put them into 
public areas such as the family room. Many parents think 
they are helping with homework by giving the kids a 
computer, but it also opens certain dangers that you may 
be unaware of.

4. Choose your child's screen name, email address or 
instant message name wisely - don't' reveal ages, sex, 
hobbies, and CERTAINLY NOT suggestive or sexy names. 
Predators are more likely to pursue a child with the 
screen name "sexyteen5" than "happygirl5"

5. Use technology to help you protect your child. 
Monitoring software gives you the ability to review your 
child's Internet usage. Even if you don't look at each 
and every email or instant message they send, you'll have 
a good idea if they are making smart choices online.

The Internet can open many doors and provide useful 
information for children. An aware and informed parent 
can help keep children safe.




Do you know parents who would benefit from this article? 

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