How To Create A Child Friendly Internet Environment
When a child is using your computer, normal safety measures and security practices may not be adequate
. Children come with challenges because of their characteristics like innocence, curiosity, desire for independence and fear of punishment.
Parents might think that because their child is only playing a game, or researching for a project or a term paper or typing a homework assignment, he or she can't cause any damage. But what if, when saving his/her paper, the child may delete a necessary file or document? Or what if she unintentionally visits a spiteful web page that contaminates the computer with a virus? Mistakes happen, but the child may not realize what he/she's done or may be afraid of telling for they might get punished.
What can Parents do?
Be Involved
Do activities together, whether it is of playing a game, researching on a particular for assignment or holiday destination. This will allow you to administer your child's online activities while teaching him/her good computer habits.
Keep Kids in Sight
Have the computer centrally located. Your child is less likely to browse debatable content if he/she knows anyone may walk in. This also helps you monitor time spent online and activities chosen.
Limit Usage
Allow your child to have free online time for say, 30 minutes to play games, message friends or visit social networking sites. After that the computer is used for home assignments.
Do your Homework
Check the browser history to know what your child browses online. Use security tools and privacy feature, whether offered by your browser or Internet service provider, or purchase separately for extra protection.
Review her/his Buddy List
Has he/she met everyone or are some buddies friends of friends or acquaintances? Have her remove anyone whom she hasn't encountered in person.
Not to Exchange Personal Information
Tell him/her not to exchange details like a phone number or a personal picture via the internet.
Consider applying Parental Controls
You can set some parental controls within your browser. Internet Explorer permits you to limit certain websites to appear on your computer and you can also protect these with password settings. Obstruct pop-ups and spam emails.
Check on Cyber Bullying
This threat is greater if a child has access to email or visits chat rooms or uses social networking sites. On networking sites kids create Web profiles and then invite others to view and become online buddies. This media will then be used to share gossip, exchange photos, make weekend plans, connect over common interests and voice opinions and influence each other.
Strangers and cyber-bullies all target children and their work is simplified when screen names reveal personal information. If posts aren't marked as private, personal details can be displayed to all readers.
Surfing the Web without Restrictions
This can mean bump into pop-up ads, viruses and inappropriate content. Also, it is always important to keep your virus definitions up to date.
What should Brands do?
Brands have to realize in some cases strong peer pressure will neutralize any positive application implemented by parents and schools. This is why brands need to ensure that the online environments are safe, also this will help the brands to gain a better reputation and benefit their SEO and internet marketing initiatives.
Brands can express their commitment to safety of the child by determining clear and easily accessible community guidelines. Not only this will help them portray the brands commitment towards safeguarding the online community but also promote to develop a strong community.
by: Stella Richard
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