Internet safety
Opening the lines of communication
Talk openly about your child’ s online friendships and take an interest in their internet activities and you’ ll be confident that your child’ s online experience is a safe one
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With the internet, there’s a world of resources at your fingertips. You can download music, catch up with the latest news, play games, search for information, shop online and keep in touch with friends. The possibilities for learning and having fun are virtually limitless. And the internet is essential to your child’s development and education.
But not everything on the internet is always safe and trustworthy. You might feel intimidated by the pace of change of the internet, and be concerned about the number of services and websites that your children are using online – maybe your kids know more about the internet than you do. But you don’t have to be a technology expert to protect yourself and your children. There is free advice and tools that are readily available and can help you feel more confident about your family’s online experience.
Kids on the Internet |
Kids love the internet. After all, it’s a lot of fun. It’s also an invaluable learning tool, helping them research topics for school projects. Online encyclopaedias like Encarta and Wikipedia provide thousands of informative articles that can benefit your children’s research. Keyword searches on search engines such as Live Search or Google uncover a wealth of information from other sources, including websites aimed especially at children. Increasingly, schools are publishing educational content on the internet in ways designed to keep kids interested. Online games and quizzes based on the curriculum can supplement traditional classroom learning.
How are your kids using the net? Email: Send and receive messages to other people connected to the Internet Instant messaging: Allows two or more people to “chat” in real-time Blogs: An increasingly popular way of staying in touch. A blog is a website where individuals write about themselves and share their experiences, similar to a diary Social networks: A recent phenomenon, they bring people with similar interests together, not unlike traditional social clubs or communities. |
When they need time to play, they can indulge in their hobbies. Sites like Windows Live Spaces or MySpace offer a place for them to share their passions for music, sport or photos with like-minded people. For the movie makers of the future, there are video-sharing websites. Other social networking services are aimed at helping people make new friends and maintain existing relationships, for example with others who may not live locally.
On a blog (online diary), kids can develop relationships with people who can read and comment on their page. Just as kids would text a friend on their mobile phone, they might send an instant message using software such as Windows Live Messenger or Yahoo! Messenger. Your children see the internet as another way of staying in touch, socialising with friends.
Look left, then right
While most kids will enjoy a trouble-free time online, these activities aren’t entirely without risk. You wouldn’t let your children cross the road without first teaching them some basic road safety. It’s the same with the internet. Before letting them surf unsupervised, set some rules. Talk to them about which kinds of sites are no-go areas. Just as you would teach them not to talk to strangers, make them aware that some people they chat to online might not be who they say they are. Teach them to be extremely careful about giving out personal information that could be exploited.
Top Tips For Parents
For more information visit: www.getsafeonline.org |
What the experts say
Kids are curious. The internet’s a big playground for them. And during their adventures online, they might stumble across content that’s not really suitable for them. Internet safety tools can help you limit access to certain content, especially for younger kids.
- If they’re under 10, it’s wise to monitor their online activities.
- Under 14s, although more savvy, still need supervision to make sure they aren’t exposed to unsuitable content.
- Older children might be fine left on their own, although you may want to remind them now and again what you think is appropriate for their age.
It’s all about trust
Whether they’re messaging friends or writing their latest blog entry, your kids are finding ways to express themselves and be creative. It’s great for them to be able to share their stories, photos or music with friends. And with a potential worldwide audience, they’ll be making new friends in the process. Just as in the outside world you like to know who their friends are, it’s healthy for you to know who they’ve met on the internet. Talking openly about these friendships with your children will lead to a trusting environment where you feel you’re able to let them blog and instant message worry-free.
One of the benefits of internet safety tools is that you can be sure who your children are communicating with. You could allow only certain friends to chat with them, or block websites you don’t think are suitable. This way you know exactly where they’re going and who they’re talking to, giving you confidence that they won’t come to any harm.
Bill Gates, Chairman Microsoft on how his family uses Windows Vista Parental Controls.
“Our family got to the point where our 7 year old son and 10 year old daughter were using the PC so much that we had to set a limit on when they could use it and what kinds of things were appropriate. In Vista I can set the times my son can get online. For my daughter, who is a bit older, I am more flexible, but using the activity report I can go and look at what websites she’s been visiting. I can also decide what rating of games she can use, or I can restrict some. So Vista Parental Controls means I am in control. My kids know that we have information about what they are doing online, so they will use the PC in an appropriate way.” |
“At Microsoft we take internet child safety very seriously and are committed to continue to innovate in this field, to give parents and children choices that are right for them.” Carrie Bogner, Director of Citizenship for Microsoft Online Services Group |
Feel confident
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When you’re in control of your children’s online activities, there’s no need to fear the internet. And you don’t have to be an expert in technology, either. Tools like Windows Vista Parental Controls and Xbox Family Settings can help your kids use your PC more safely and productively. In no time at all, you’ll be enjoying peace of mind knowing everyone’s safe and protected.
For more information about how to protect your family online, visit www.microsoft.com/protect
There are also great educational resources for parents and children at:
www.getsafeonline.org and www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Windows Live OneCare Family Safety is a free tool that can help protect your children from online content that you feel is inappropriate. It is now in beta and available free from http://onecare.live.com/familysafety
