INTERNET+SAFETY

What Parents Can Do
> If you are just starting out, see what your local library, community center, school or newspaper offers by way of introduction. > Spend time online with your child, whether at home, at the library, or at a computer center in your community. Your involvement in your child's life, including his or her online life, is the best insurance you can have of your child's safety. > Keep yourself informed about the parental control tools that can help you keep your child safe online. > If you see material or practices you do or do not like, contact your Internet Service Provider (the company that provides you with a connection to the Internet) or the company that created the material. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to make sure that this growing medium develops in positive ways for kids. **Parenting Tips** **What Parental Control Can Do**
 * 1)  Learn about the Internet
 * 1)  Get Involved
 * 1)  Stay Informed
 * 1)  Become an Advocate for Kids
 * Keep computer in family area to better monitor your child's activity
 * Regularly spend time online with your child to learn about his or her interests and activities
 * Teach your child to end any experience online when he or she feels uncomfortable or scared by pressing the back key, logging off, and telling a trusted adult as soon as possible
 * Establish an atmosphere of trust and understanding with your child by not blaming him or her for uncomfortable online experiences
 * Discuss the difference between advertising and educational or entertaining content and show your child examples of each
 * Establish strict rules for ordering products (and then monitor credit card bills)
 * "Talk back" to Internet Service Providers and content creators to let them know what you want and expect from them in keeping kids safe online
 * Block access to materials (text and pictures) identified as inappropriate for kids*
 * Permit access only to materials specifically approved as safe for kids*
 * Allow you to specify what types of materials are appropriate for your child
 * Help you monitor your child's activity on the Internet by storing names of sites and/or snapshots of material seen by your child on the computer for you to view later
 * Allow you to set different restrictions for each family member
 * Limit results of an Internet search to content appropriate for kids
 * Enforce time limits set by parents

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