 According to the latest census data, more than half of the
country’s 105 million households have computers. Everyone from the four-year-old to the 88-year old
grandma uses the computer. And, for those people who do not have a computer
at home, they have access to one through the office, school
or the library.
While computer technology
has made our lives easier and provided us with educational and entertainment resources, it has become
increasingly important for parents to monitor the websites
and “chat rooms” that their children visit online.
Keep in mind that anyone in the world can publish material
on the web, and much of it is not appropriate for young
children or teens — or adults, for that matter!
While some Internet service
providers and online services allow parents to limit access
to certain parts of the Internet, it is ultimately the parent’s
responsibility to monitor their children’s online activity.
In the case of younger children, parents should not allow
the Internet to become a babysitting service. And,
if your teen spends hour after hour online, that could signal
potential problems. Parents should be aware of the
websites their children and teens are accessing.
While young children should
never be allowed to log on to a “chat room” or bulletin
board, parents should visit with their teens and set reasonable
guidelines and expectations concerning “chat rooms,” since
it is primarily teens who are more likely to be the victims of child predators surfing
the Internet.
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Here are some tips to help
guide your teenager through the risks and dangers of the
cyberspace highway:
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Discuss with your teens
guidelines for computer usage such as the amount of time
they can be online and the appropriate websites they may
visit.
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Encourage your teen to
tell you if they receive obscene, harassing or suggestive
e-mails and when you become aware of such messages, report
them to the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children’s CyberTipline at 800-843-5678 or via the Internet
at www.missingkids.com/cybertip.
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Tell your teen to never
send a photograph through an e-mail without checking with
a parent first.
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Tell your teen to refrain
from giving out identifying information such as name,
home address, telephone number or school address in a
“chat room.”
Never allow your teen to arrange a face-to-face
meeting with another computer user without your permission. If you decide the meeting should take place, be sure
to accompany your teen and hold the meeting in a public
place. You
need to know as much about your child’s online friends as
you know about their other friends, including their parents.
By knowing the dangers of the Internet, you can take advantage
of the positive aspects, minimize the negatives, and make
the cyberspace age an enjoyable experience for your family.
CONSUMER TIPS is provided as a public
service by the Missouri Independent Bankers Association
AND
Community Bank of the Ozarks
P.O. Box 43
Sunrise Beach, MO 65079
(573) 374-5245
1-800-927-4314
www.cbobanker.com
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