Whatever it's called, millions of people are now going online to exchange electronic mail (E-mail) and instant messages; participate in chat groups; post and read messages in newsgroups, which are sometimes called bulletin boards; (like what we're doing right now, posting journals, sharing ideas -it's good if it's with values, what if it's not?) "SURF" the world wide web; and many other online activities. CHILDREN are no exception, in fact they are more likely to be online than adults.... (Sorry kids, this is for real!)
Personal computers are no longer the only method used for accessing the internet. Children can go online from personal computers at home, a friend's house, in school, a library, club, or internet cafe... (sounds familiar, hmmmnn) Many game consoles can be connected to the internet and used for chatting and other online interaction. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE TO ACCESS THE INTERNET on mobile devices such as cellular phones and other handheld devices. IN OTHER WORDS, children don't have to be in the company of responsible adults to use the internet.
Millions of people communicate through e-mail with family, friends, and colleagues around the world. Others use chat areas to make new friends who share common interests. You can even use the internet to watch videos, reference information such as airline fares, encyclopedias, movie reviews, news, sports, etchetera, etchetera, etchetera... (look how the world move on!) TERRIFIC! But sounds SCARRY TOO! Why? Why? Why?
Users can conduct transactions such as banking, making travel reservations, shopping and trading stocks online (heard of ebay, credit cards applications, markets, so much more)
Of course we all know that Internet serves as an educational and entertainment tool.....Users can learn about virtually any topic, visit and explore different things worldwide! or even play an endless number of computer games with other users or against the computer itself...
MOST PEOPLE WHO GO ONLINE HAVE MAINLY POSITIVE EXPERIENCES. (But, like any endeavor - there are some risks and annoyances). The online world, like the rest of society, is made up of a wide array of people. Most are decent and respectful, but some may be rude, insulting, or even mean and exploitative. Children get a lot of benefit from being online, but they can also be targets of crime, exploitation, and harassment in this as in any other environment. Trusting, curious and anxious to explore this new world and the relationships it brings, children need parental supervision and common-sense advice on how to be sure that their experiences in "cyberspace" are happy, healthy and productive.. (Sorry kids, am i being mean to your freedom?) There are few risks for children who use the internet or online services. Teenagers are particularly at risk because they often go online and unsupervised and are more likely than younger children to participate in online discussions regarding companionship, relationships, or sexual activity.
GUIDELINE FOR PARENTS
By taking responsibility for your children's online computer use, parents can greatly minimize any potential risks of being online. MAKE IT A FAMILY RULE TO:
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Never give out identifying information - home address, school name or telephone number - in a public message such as chat or newsgroups and be sure you're dealing with someone both you and your children know and trust before giving out this information via E-mail. (Sorry again kids, do i sounds conservative?) OF COURSE NOT! I am super COOL, as in i know how to dance to the music), but just for your own protection...
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Get to know the internet and any services your child uses. (Sorry kids again, am i being so protective, are you irritated?) They said (some mothers say, if your kids uses the free email account, learn their user names and passwords.. - this time, i am not like that, i believe to everyone's privacy) Am i a hero now?
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Never allow a child to arrange a face-to-face meeting with somene they "meet" on the internet without parental permission. If a meeting is arranged, make the first one in a public place, and be sure to accompany your children... CHAPERON!, HEHEHEHE!
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REMEMBER, that people online may not be who they seem. Because you can't see or even hear the person it would be easy for someone to misrepresent him/herself. Thus someone indicating that "he/she" is a "12 year old girl" could in reality be a 40 year old man. (huh, that's my age!)
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Never respond to messages that are suggestive, obscene, threatening or make you feel uncomfortable. Encourage your children to tell you if they encounter such messages.
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Instruct your child not to click on any links that are contained in e-mail from persons they dont know. Such links could lead to sexually explicit or otherwise inappropriate web sites or could be a computer virus.
While children need a certain amount of privacy, (sorry kids, you're not adult yet!) they also need parental involvement and supervision in their daily lives. The same general parenting skills that apply to the "real world" also apply while online.
SO MUCH FOR THIS GUIDELINES, I'm sure children hates me more now... Sorry kids, this is just an opinion and advice.. Whether your parents take it or not, it's up to them... It's just a plainly advice....But, for sure, this is all for your own good!
But if your child tells you about an upsetting message, about the person they meet online, or web site encountered while online, don't blame your child but help him/her avoid problems in the future.
Remember - how you respond will determine whether they confide in you the next time they encounter a problem and how they learn to deal with problems on their own.
Right mom and dad?
