online pornography tips for parents
While online computer exploration opens a world of possibilities for children, expanding their horizons and exposing them to different cultures and ways of life, they can be exposed to dangers. There are individuals who attempt to sexually exploit children through the use of online services and the Internet. Parents want to protect their children. It is important for parents to understand that children can be indirectly victimized through conversation, i.e. "chat," as well as the transfer of sexually explicit information and material. Sex offenders may also be evaluating children they come in online contact with for future face-to-face contact and direct victimization. Parents and children should remember that a computer sex offender can be any age or gender.
Signs that your child might be at risk of falling prey to cyber-porn or other objectionable stuff on the Net:
- Your child spends large amounts of time on-line, especially at night.
- You find pornography on your child's computer.
- Your child receives phone calls from men you don't know or is making calls, sometimes long distance, to numbers you don't recognize.
- Your child receives mail, gifts, or packages from someone you don't know.
- Your child turns the computer monitor off or quickly changes the screen on the monitor when you come into the room.
- Your child becomes withdrawn from the family.
Here are a few suggestions and tips for parents to ensure the safety of their kids from the evil of online pornography:
- Keep the Computer in the Family Area
If you have a computer in your home that has access to the internet, consider placing it in a family room rather than in a closed room. This will increase the chances of catching sight of inappropriate material that your child might encounter online. It also draws in the whole family, which can make the internet a lot more valuable to all concerned. Infact it is a good idea to ask your child to teach you about online computing as this will generate confidence in him/her.
- Block Cyberporn with Software and Filters
There are special software that can screen and block areas that children may try to investigate. Net Nanny is a program that allows a parent or guardian to monitor everything that passes through the computer. If it detects an offending phrase in an online chat room, the program automatically disconnects the computer.
- Create a Children's Checklist
Make sure your child knows the do's and don'ts of online computing. Never give out personal information (address, phone number). Never arrange a face-to-face meeting. Always remember that the person online may not be what he or she claims to be. Do not let your children have online profiles, so they will not be listed in directories and are less likely to be approached in children's chat rooms, where pedophiles often search for prey. Also, do not allow your children to post, send or receive pictures online.
- Establish Rules for Online Use
Without rules and guidelines, children may feel compelled to try new things, even things they may know are not in keeping with your beliefs. Establish a set of guidelines that reflects your family values. Make sure your child understands these guidelines and agrees to respect them while online.
- Educate Yourself
Become more computer literate and Internet savvy yourself so that you understand what your child is doing on the computer. It would also do you well to know about the basics of a web browser and its functioning so that you may be able to easily keep a check on the sites visited by your kids. Keep checking the 'Temporary Internet Files" and "History" folders on your computer on a regular basis to get an idea of the kind of websites your children are accessing.
- Teach Your Children Well
Help your children understand that the computer is a tool for educational purposes and for positive communication. Used as such, they can learn and grow and have a lot of fun. At the same time, help them understand that this wonderful tool can sometimes be used by an undesirable element for malicious purposes.
Source: Netsafety
