Does Your Child Use a Computer?

Here are a few tips to help keep your child's online experience a safe and enjoyable one

• Make sure your child doesn't spend all of his/her time on the computer. Help them to find a balance between computing and other activities.
• Make sure your child knows not to share personal information, such as their name, address, telephone number or school name with anyone online.
• Make sure your child doesn't send anyone his/her picture, credit card or bank information without checking with you first.
• People, not computers, should be their best friends and companions.
• Keep the computer in a main family area such as in a family room, kitchen or living room, not in your child's bedroom. Watch your child when they are online and monitor the sites and areas they access.
• Learn enough about computers so you can enjoy them together with your kids.
• Make sure that your child feels comfortable coming to you with questions about their online experiences and activities. Make sure they notify you if he/she sees distasteful pictures or language on the Internet.
• Make sure your child uses caution when someone offers them something for free.
• Get to know their "online" friends just as you get to know all of their other friends.
• Make sure your child never gives out his/her password even to a close friend, and that their password is changed frequently.
• Encourage discussions between you and your child about what they enjoy most online.

Online Services

Another option for parents wanting to control online content is to sign up with an Internet Service Provider that restricts access to sites inappropriate for children. Some ISP's are geared toward family access and provide mechanisms which parents use to set restrictions for their children's Internet use. Such providers include the following:

• AOL -If you are an AOL member and would like to set restrictions for Internet browsing, go to keyword: Parental, choose the screen name to restrict, click on teen or child access, and follow the online instructions.
• CompuServe -If you are a CompuServe member and would like to set restrictions for Internet browsing, use the GO command and select AE CONTROL and follow the set up instructions.
• MSN -Members may set up parental controls during the installation of MSN software. A password is required to deactivate and reset this feature. Five levels of control are available on the basis of sex, nudity, violence and language, ranging from level G to level XXXX.
• Prodigy -Prodigy recommends that its members download CyberPatrol software and use this in conjunction with their children's use of the Prodigy service.
• Mindspring
• AT&T world net service 1-800-309-3349
• To search for Internet Service Providers (ISP's) offering parental control features in your area, check out www.netparents.org/isps

Internet Censorship Debate

Several organizations have been established to support freedom of speech on the Internet. The sites listed below provide information, links and news about the Internet censorship debate.

• ACLU
• Center for Democracy &Technology
• Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility
• Electronic Privacy Information Center
• Electronic Frontier Foundation
• Peacefire

Blocking & Filtering Software

Several software programs exist that aid parents in controlling the Internet content available to their children. Some programs are listed below and can perform one or more of the following functions: block access to adult sites, rate sites based on adult content, establish time controls for individual users, block usage after a particular time of night.

• Bess
• Cyber Patrol
• CyberSitter
• Kinderguard
• Microsoft Plus for Kids
• Times Up!
• Web Sense

Have your kids make the online pledge

My Online Pledge:

• I promise to never give my name, address, phone number, school's name, computer passwords, or picture to anyone on the Internet without my parents' approval.
• I promise to tell a parent or teacher if I see any bad language or pictures on the Internet, or if anyone makes me feel uncomfortable or nervous online.
• I promise to stay out of any chat rooms and/or web sites not approved of by my parents.
• I promise not to meet face to face with someone I meet on the Internet without telling my parents first and getting their approval, and I promise that any approved meeting shall be in a public place with my parents present.
• I promise to be online only during the times and days my parents, school, and I set aside for using the Internet.

How You Can Help

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Give Your Time

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