Teaching Internet safety to children...

Fortunately I haven't had to explain this one yet. I'm not actually that bothered at the moment with my 5 year old chatting online. She usually uses yahoo messenger so I know its just my friends. I am much more worried about her talking to strangers when she is out playing and it was difficult trying to explain to her that she can't go off with anyone even if they are parents of the kids she is playing with, because I might not know if they are 'nice' people or not.

My son is only 22 months, but I have told my little brother!! I have also taught my mom about parental controls and all that good stuff!! I think more parents need to control what their children do online.. Instead of blaming the internet look at yourselves! I know parents can't be home all the time but that is why their is parental controls!!

My neice, who I help raise, is 12 and we are constantly regoing over all the safety issues with her. It helps that some of the shows that she watches deals with the issues as well. Kind of reinforces what we say but also shows her that her mom and I aren't just paranoid. It can be hard to explain that you can't believe everything you see and hear on line. That people can be lieing and out to hurt people, etc. It's not easy because I don't want to scare her too much of course but teach her enough to give her some reservations about being too trusting. It's a hard balance to find.

Using the computers and internet has become a daily event for all age groups. Infact, children are spending more time in front of the computer. My dotter does drawing, types a little basics what she learnt at school. Shes familiar with the internet too and searches the pages of her interest particularly for the games. So I keep a watch on the history of sites surfed and as a precaution . Besides I teach her on how to open and close applications, and other simpler ones that are inline with her school books. I think that every child must be taught differently to apply technology, because children understand the world in different ways. As you said children are also used to sharing ideas and chatting etc. and it is likely they may get in touch with unsavory people who don't have good intentions, who use their own anonymity to hurt others easily. Not only that, there are also lots of sites where the immatured get enticed easily swayed. Generally, I feel it's safe for kids to use the Internet as far as going through some safe sites are concerned. As a parent I always try to instill a constructive value system by talking to her while shes on the net.