Internet safety

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• Dealing with internet safety concerns
• Internet safety tips
• Common concerns about children’s internet use

More than half of Australians have the internet at home. Also, a household with children is more likely to have a computer with internet access.

Children can benefit from the internet because it offers them more text-based information than other media. This can help improve a child’s reading and problem-solving skills. Some studies show that the internet can make learning more fun for young people. Children can also benefit socially because they use email, chat rooms and forums to communicate with friends (although face-to-face communication is also important for social development).

Boys and girls use the internet an equal amount, but there are some differences in how they use it. Research has shown that boys play more online games than girls, and girls use chat rooms and education sites more than boys do.

Dealing with internet safety concerns

You can help your children to use the internet safely by monitoring, protecting and teaching them and by learning about the internet yourself. Remember, learning to use the internet safely is like learning to cross the street. It takes time and careful guidance from trusted people like teachers and parents.

Monitor
You can monitor and supervise your child’s use of the internet in several ways.

• Talk with all family members about internet access. Monitoring works best if you are able to have calm and frank discussions with your child about his internet activities.
• Keep the computer in a shared family area. If possible, avoid putting it in a study or bedroom. This allows you to keep tabs on how long your child is online as well as what websites he is visiting.
• Together with your child, set up some simple and fair rules about internet use. For example, set a reasonable limit on the amount of screen time that your child is allowed. Discuss how these rules apply outside your home, for example, at a friend’s house or the local library. When your child follows the rules, remember to give him lots of positive feedback.
• If you have older children it’s a good idea to have a written internet use agreement with them. A written agreement signed by both of you helps make rules clear.
• Your browser program contains a History button, which will allow you to see websites that your child visits.
• Find out if your child’s school has an internet policy and how internet safety is maintained there.
• Empower your child to use the internet safely by showing them safe sites and teaching them why they are safe. It is also important to educate your child on why it is wrong to give out any personal details online.

Protect
You can help protect your child while they are using the internet.

• Explain to your child that not all information on the internet is good, true or helpful. Explain also that some areas are for adults only and not intended for children to see.
• You can help your child identify unsuitable material by naming some things to look out for. For example, a site containing scary or rude pictures, swearing or angry words is probably not suitable.
• You can use a family friendly internet service provider (ISP) like Optus or Telstra BigPond. You can also suggest safe search engines like www.awesomelibrary.org to your children and bookmark them for later use.
• Ensure that your child understands that people they meet and chat to online need to be treated with serious caution. Point out that people on the internet may be deliberately pretending to be someone they are not to gain your child’s trust. Some even pretend to be another child so they can exploit and befriend other kids. Ask your child to let you know if a person contacts him. Also, children should tell you if they’re planning a face-to-face meeting with someone they have met online.

TeachYou can help your child learn how to use the internet safely, responsibly and enjoyably.

• Focus on the positive aspects of the internet when you are guiding your child. Spend time showing him sites that are fun, interesting or educational (and then boomark them for later use). For example, you could help him find some information he needs for homework.
• Encourage your child to question things they find on the internet. Upon finding a new site, they could ask themselves things like ‘Who is in charge of this site?’, ‘Have I found information or is it opinion?’ or ‘Is this site trying to influence me or sell me something?’.
• Extended and frequent use of the computer can affect a child’s health and fitness. Encourage your child to engage in a range of activities that are alternatives to web surfing. The Australian Council for Children’s Film and Television suggests that up to an hour a day is enough screen time (this includes computer, TV and electronic games) for children under seven or eight. For older children, 1½-2 hours is enough.
• You can use an educational program specifically designed for your child’s age group.

Learn
If you’re not familiar with the internet, start by learning about it yourself.

• All you need is a basic understanding to help you supervise and guide your child. You can check out community resources such as your local library, neighbourhood house, TAFE or Council of Adult Education programs. Many of these will provide classes or further information.
• Be reassured that you’re not alone if you find that your child knows more about the internet than you do. So why not ask your child for a lesson? This can be fun for both you and helps you understand just how much your child does know.

Internet safety tips

Common concerns about children's internet use

Access to inappropriate content
Children may be only one or two clicks away from violent, pornographic or offensive material (even accidentally), especially if there are no filters or monitor software installed on your computer. Some websites might contain advertisements for alcohol or cigarettes directed at children and these can be difficult to block, because they are usually images without text. Also, some chat rooms can encourage inappropriate or harmful behaviour such as extreme dieting, underage sex or drug use. 

The risk of stalking or child abuse over the internet can be avoided if you advise your children not to give personal information to or communicate one to one with people they do not know. Paedophiles have fewer opportunities to target children if personal information is not revealed.

Leaking of personal information
This is more of an issue for older children and can occur by accident when children provide personal details on websites or to strangers they have met online. Risks include cyber bullying or identity fraud.

File-sharing programs
Online software that enables files to be swapped over the internet is a very attractive way for kids to share MP3 songs, videos and images for free. Sharing music over the internet is against the law and legal action has been brought against people for doing it.

These kinds of file-sharing programs, often called ‘peer-to-peer’ programs, also allow access to your computer by strangers who could introduce computer viruses or other harmful material.

Too much internet/computer use
Parents sometimes worry about their children using the internet too much. If a child is already shy or uncomfortable in social situations, he might spend a lot of time online, withdrawing from family and friends. If most or all of a child’s interaction with friends is via computer — instant messaging, emails, chat rooms — this may affect the development of the child’s social skills.

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