| The Real Dangers to Kids Online and How to | | | | impossible to retract.2. Communicate regularly (not |
| Avoid ThemDid you know1 out of 5 kids has | | | | just once) with your child about WHAT they do |
| been sexually solicited online1 out of 4 kids has | | | | online and WHO they talk to online. If you have |
| been sent a picture of naked people or people | | | | actually met the friends they are talking to in |
| having sex onlinethat May 21, 2002 there was the | | | | person, you'll know it is OK for them to chat with |
| first death of a child linked directly to an Internet | | | | them online.3. Take computers out of kids' rooms |
| Predator?Parents' biggest concern about the | | | | and put them into public areas such as the family |
| Internet used to be pornography, but there is | | | | room. Many parents think they are helping with |
| definitely a greater fear today.You have probably | | | | homework by giving the kids a computer, but it |
| taught your child not to talk to strangers, and in | | | | also opens certain dangers that you may be |
| many situations, they would remember this. But | | | | unaware of.4. Choose your child's screen name, |
| the Internet is different.Due to the Internet's | | | | email address or instant message name wisely - |
| anonymity, strangers are talking to children all the | | | | don't' reveal ages, sex, hobbies, and CERTAINLY |
| time. They try to gain the child's trust by having | | | | NOT suggestive or sexy names. Predators are |
| friendly conversation at first, but over time, their | | | | more likely to pursue a child with the screen |
| true objective of sexually soliciting the child | | | | name "sexyteen5" than "happygirl5"5. Use |
| becomes evident. Children and parents alike are | | | | technology to help you protect your child. |
| unaware of this, yet this is exactly what is going | | | | Monitoring software gives you the ability to |
| on via the Internet.What can today's parent do? | | | | review your child's Internet usage. Even if you |
| Armed with information, there's quite a bit a | | | | don't look at each and every email or instant |
| parent can do.Software4Parents.com's Top 5 | | | | message they send, you'll have a good idea if |
| Internet Safety Tips1. Tell your child to NEVER | | | | they are making smart choices online.The Internet |
| EVER reveal their name, address, phone number | | | | can open many doors and provide useful |
| or any other personal information to ANYONE | | | | information for children. An aware and informed |
| online. Once you give out this information, it is | | | | parent can help keep children safe. |