I have an 8-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter who are just now beginning to use the family computer (specifically, the Internet) for school homework and projects.  As their wish to use this medium increases, so has my knowledge increased in regards to keeping them safe online.  There is so much information “out there” that’s it’s easy to become over-whelmed.  Do you agree?  What are you doing to keep track of your kids?

June is National Internet Safety Month and, in recognition of this, Yahoo! partnered with Ipsos OTX, to conduct an online survey in an effort to gain insight into consumer behaviors and perceptions about online safety.  2003 respondents were recruited via Ipsos OTX’s internet panel for an 18-minute online survey, with interviews conducted from April 16-21, 2010.

What they found is parents are taking action, especially dads:

• 70% of parents talk to their kids about online safety 2-3 times a year; 45% talk once a month
• 74% of parents are connected to the profiles of their children on social networking sites
• 71% of dads (compared to 63% of moms) are taking at least one action, including having conversations about respecting the privacy of others
• 53% of dads plug the names of their children into search engines at least 2-3 times a year (compared to 38% of moms)

The survey also indicated that, while 81% of parents know what cyber-bullying is, only 37% know what to do about it.  For those of you who are curious about what you can do about preventing cyber-bullying, Catherine Teitelbaum, Director of Child Safety at Yahoo! offers several points to consider:

• Own your digital reputation
• Keep your private information under your control
• Be nice (and pass it on)
• Know your rights
• Have a family chat

So, what is cyber-bullying?  It is bullying done through e-mail, cell phones, pager text messages, instant messaging, Web sites, online personal polling Web sites. It is done by kids deliberately and repeatedly and is used by an person or group with the intention of harming other kids and teens.  Doing this online is easy because the bully can remain anonymous, with no fear of consequences!  Be aware: if your child is the cyber-bully, you can be held financially responsible for mental and emotional harm your child causes another child.

While I have your attention, do you believe children should be punished for being a cyber-bully?  If so, to what extent?  If not, why?

BASIC INTERNET SAFETY

If your child is 7 years old and under:

Sit with them and closely monitor the websites they visit.  If kids aren’t supervised, they may stumble onto sites that scare or confuse them.

If your child is 8-12 years old:

Consider keeping the computer in an area where the child has direct access to you, or another adult, and carefully consider how much time they are spending online.

If your child is a teen:

• They need to understand that not everything we read on the internet is true, that people may or may not be who they seem to be, and that information and images they share can been seen far and wide
• Remind them that once something is posted, it is nearly impossible to “take it back” and that their online actions can reverberate into real-life situations
• Use privacy settings to restrict who can access and post on their profile
• Review your child’s friend list and talk to them about avoiding sex talk online
• Encourage them to trust their gut if they have suspicions
• Encourage them to create a safe screen name
• Help them understand what information should stay private (Social Security number, address, phone number, family financial information)
• Create consequences for “sexting”.

The internet offers a world of opportunity to communicate and socialize with others, but there are certain risks, such as: inappropriate conduct, contact and content.  You can start early with teaching your children about protecting themselves — as a parent, you have the first opportunity to talk to them about what’s important before anyone else does and research suggests that when children want important information, most rely on their parents!  Keep communication with your kids open by initiating conversations and talking with them about your values — it’s the best way to keep them safe.

Contributed to the Yahoo! Mother Board.

More resources:

Yahoo! Safely: Safety site operated by Yahoo! that offers distinct resources and links for teens and parents, as well as informative content from safety experts including Common Sense Media, ConnectSafely and WiredSafety.  Yahoo! is a longtime leader on child safety and commits to helping foster a safer online environment.

COPPA: The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act

Cyberbully NOT: A parent’s resource.

Love Our Children USA: Keeping children safe and strengthening families.

Michele Borba: 10 Secrets to Stay Connected – Even Civil – With Your T(w)een

National Criminal Justice Reference Service: Special Feature on Internet Safety

AnComm’s TalkAboutIt(R): AnComm’s TALK ABOUT IT ® enables organizations to rapidly improve communication, collaboration, culture and safety. Developed by AnComm, ‘Talk About It ®’ is the nation’s first and only anonymous online and text based reporting and emergency notification service for schools.

OnGuard Online: Stop. Think. Click.(TM)

This past November, I wrote a post on Writing to Sanity about encouraging literacy in our homes. I started off by explaining that Ethan and Mary are voracious readers, and nothing pleases me more than to hear both talk excitedly about a new book that they’re reading.

At the time I wrote the post, they were reading a Choose Your Own Adventure book with my dad. Since then, Ethan has received about ten different CYOA books because of his entrancement. Say it with me: reading is a GIFT you give your child.

Colorin Colorado, a bilingual site for families and educators of English language learners explains the importance of child literacy:

“By giving your child the opportunity to read, you are giving them the opportunity to become stronger readers and students. The gift of reading may start with a simple book or story, but its rewards will be discovered years later when an adult remembers his favorite story as a child, succeeds in achieving her goals, and remembers story time as a part of the day that he/she would look forward to. The gift of reading lasts so much longer than the holidays — it truly is the gift of a lifetime, and is one of the most special things you can share with your children.”

Inspiring our children is easier than you might think!

• Share conversations with your child over meal times and other times when you are together. Children learn words more easily when they hear them spoken often.
• Introduce new and interesting words at every opportunity.
• Read together every day. Spend time talking about stories, pictures, and words.
• Be your child’s best advocate. Keep informed about your child’s progress in reading and as the teacher about ways you can help.
• Be a reader and a writer. Children learn habits from the people around them.
• Visit the library often. Story times, computers, homework help, and other exciting activities await the entire family.
• Get involved in your community! The NIFL has a Literacy Directory you might find helpful: http://literacydirectory.org/

Reading can (and should) be enjoyable for every child. As a mother, I’ve seen first-hand with my own children how much a child can love to read, if given the right tools.

This post is my first as contributor to the Yahoo! Mother Board.