A recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that 65 percent of parents feel they closely monitor their children's media use. Does that include you?
The Statistics. Did you know that American teenagers go online more now than ever before? According to a recent Pew Internet & American Life Project survey, 93 percent of youth are online. By contrast, in 2004, 73 percent of teens were online. Other stats tell us that today, 94 percent of parents with teenagers also go online, but only 68 percent of parents have rules on which Internet sites their children can visit. And, only 55 percent have rules on how much time their children can spend online (Pew Internet & American Life Project, October 2007).
These trends underscore the importance for parents to keep tabs of where and when their kids surf online. Here's a quick quiz to see if you have your teen's Internet safety bases covered. Then, check out this fact sheet to make sure you're up to speed on the latest online trends with kids today.
QUIZ: Should you be concerned with the online safety of your children?
- Do you directly supervise your child as they surf the Web or participate in online activities?
- Do you know what Parental Controls are and how to use them?
- Do you actively manage your children's online activities with Parental Controls?
- Have you made an agreement with your children about their Internet privileges and responsibilities?
- Are you comfortable with your children posting photos online or chatting with unfamiliar people?
If you answered NO to any of the above questions, you may need to do a little homework and take additional steps to effectively protect your children's online safety.
Following are online safety tips for protecting your household:
- Establish appropriate online behavior. The first step is to remind your children that the Internet is a public place, which means online actions can have real-life consequences. Reminding your kids to be wary of unsolicited communications from strangers can help heighten their awareness when they surf the Web just as they play outside.
Kids should also be aware that they are responsible for their actions online and that their parents can be held accountable for activities like illegally downloading music. - Use the tools available to make your job easier. Start using technology to your advantage. Choose an Internet Service Provider, like AT&T that offers award-winning safety features allowing you to create customized boundaries and protect your kids from inappropriate online content.
Parental Controls available with personalized settings for each child, block unsuitable Web content and control who is able to send e-mail and instant messages to their children. Parents can use any Web connected computer to manage control settings, review their children's Internet usage and instantly act upon their child's requests to gain access to specific sites. - Have fun. Just as activities like sightseeing, going to the movies or playing board games are opportunities for your family to bond, exploring new topics online can also be quality time spent together. Researching hobbies and topical news stories, watching movie trailers and visiting a site for favorite books and TV shows – even just searching the Web – are great ways for you to engage in your child's online experiences. Don't know your child's favorite online activities? Ask him or her and find out.
