Thursday, February 9, 2012

Online Tips

KTMS Commentary

Parents can help children learn to use their time wisely and safely, especially when using the Internet.

Surfing through the Internet provides many opportunities for exciting discoveries. But there is also the potential for encounters with the unknown.

Teach your children to navigate efficiently and safely by establishing household Net rules. These might include:

•  Have an action plan for using time online. Set a time limit and have children jot down an outline of sites or topics they want to check out. It is easy to waste a lot of time surfing the Net if you don’t have specific goals in mind.

•  Remember that homework on the Internet comes before playing games or socializing. The serious tasks need to be tackled first.

Then you can set up guidelines for game-playing, chatting, and emailing.

•  Make sure to emphasize keeping passwords a secret.

•  Let your children know that there are people on the Net who are up to no good and are trying to collect private information.

Make sure they know NOT to give their full name, address, telephone number, Social Security number, or any other personal identification information to anyone online without your permission.

The Internet can help students on many levels and can also provide entertainment and social interaction.

Give your children the information they need ahead of time to make good decisions and stay safe.