I highly recommend that parents visit EIE's great website, enough.org, where you can learn about EIE's comprehensive training program on how to help your children enjoy the Internet while staying safe. The program, "Internet Safety 101," includes a workbook and DVD that will also unlock the mysteries of the Internet for you. I am blessed to have helped found EIE back in 1991 when the biggest pornography and predatory problems were connected to local scummy porn shops. Today, under Donna's leadership, EIE has become the leading resource on how to protect children in our high-tech world. You owe it to your family to order "Internet Safety 101."
Take Donna's advice and "just say no" to chat rooms. And as for e-mail, Instant Messaging (IM) and other means of online conversations, here are a few basic pointers to go over with your children.
- Remind them that the age-old advice of "Don't talk to strangers" applies online, too.
- Explain that predators often masquerade as children online, and that they should never, ever have emotional or personal discussions with anyone.
- If any exchange becomes uncomfortable or edgy, they should tell you right away.
- Never give out personal information to anyone -- even someone they think is another child.
- Limit the amount of time kids spend talking to their friends online.
The Internet is a technological miracle that can benefit your children and their educations, if used correctly. But if left unchecked, your sons and daughters will likely fall victim to perverts, pornography and predators. Don't take that chance.