Blog #2: Internet Safety for Keeping Kids Safe Online

Summary:  Children spend a large sum of time on the internet. There are risks involved in internet usage. Excessive amounts of time spent online can lower your child’s desire for social interactions, keeping up with school work, or stumbling upon inappropriate material not deemed for children.

What can you do as the parent?

1. Talk to your children about the dangers of using the internet. Explain that the internet is a great resource for educational information and, yes, even some game playing is okay! If your child does visit a website you see as inappropriate than talk to them about it. Let your child know your expectations for him/her while on the internet. Establish a clear set of rules and boundaries. This includes time spent online, websites that can be viewed, and consequences if your expectations are not met.

2. Always be sure your technology is secure. Computers should be equipped with updated software and internet protection.

3. Get online and see the internet through your child’s eyes. Friend them on social media sites, visit the websites they like to view and play games on, and surf the web with them when doing projects. 

Reflection: As your child's teacher, my goal is to provide each of your children with knowledge about not only the internet, but also how to use the internet safely and correctly. You children will be spending time online looking up information over various cultures, settings, and time periods. They will participate in online games that are used as practice drills. I have sent home Internet safety guidelines. I encourage you and your child to read over the information, talk about it, and establish rules for internet usage in your homes as well to keep your child safe and managing his/her time online sufficiently.