Parents have a duty to protect their children, and this is never more needful than during the summer months when children and teens are out of school and often spend hours alone at home while parents are at work. Although there is no fail-safe method, CLA recommends that parents carefully consider these tips:
1. Children should use computers only in common areas of the home where they can be monitored—never behind closed doors in their bedrooms. It is extremely unwise to allow children and teenagers unmonitored computer access when they are home alone.
2. Talk with your child often about how to remain safe on the Internet. Let your child know you regularly check computer history as well as email and chat messages.
3. Require your child to use nicknames on social media and networking sites and never to share identifying information about themselves or the family in social networking profiles. Your child should be told to keep passwords secret from everyone but you.
4. Remind your child that millions of people can potentially see anything they post online and these messages and photos will never go away. Teach your child to think before posting.
5. Remind your child of the dangers associated with arranging an in-person meeting with anyone they have met only in cyberspace.
6. Monitor any social networking sites your child uses. Make sure your child “friends” you and makes their personal settings “private.”
7. Watch for signs of cyberbullying and tell your child to report such activity to you immediately, whether it involves them or a friend. Encourage them to help others who are being subjected to cyberbullying by alerting an adult.
8. Make sure to retain all evidence of cyberbullying, including emails and text messages.
The Internet is a powerful tool, much like a loaded gun. If parents allow their children to go online, they must make certain that careful safety guidelines are in place. It takes only one incident for tragedy to result.
