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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

101 Internet Safety Tips For Kids


Presented By

www.101InternetSafetyTipsForKids.Net

NOTICE : You do not have the right to reprint or sell this guide. You do not have the right to edit this guide in any way. DISCLAIMER AND/OR LEGAL NOTICES: The information presented herein represents the view of the author as of the date of publication. Because of the rate with which conditions change, the author reserves the right to alter and update his opinion based on the new conditions. The report is for informational purposes only. While every attempt has been made to verify the information provided in this report, neither the author nor his affiliates/partners assume any responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. Any slights of people or organizations are unintentional. If advice concerning legal or related matters is needed, the services of a fully qualified professional should be sought. This report is not intended for use as a source of legal or accounting advice. You should be aware of any laws which govern business transactions or other business practices in your country and state. Any reference to any person or business whether living or dead is purely coincidental.

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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

Introduction
Theres no doubt about it. Weve become a technology-driven society. Everything from home appliances to municipal infrastructures is controlled to some extent through computer access. Even the most basic tasks involved in living ones life either require, or are made easier by, the use of computers and the internet. We shop online. We manage our finances and pay our bills without picking up a pen or stamping an envelope. Recipes, photographs and home videos are stored in a virtual filing cabinet. We stay in touch with family and friends through email, conduct business the same way, and rely on the availability of nearly any piece of information with a few clicks of the mouse. Think back to the last time the power went out during a storm or your computer was in for repairs if you doubt the significance of technology life almost comes to a standstill without it! As good parents, we naturally want to make sure our children have every opportunity to prepare for the future. These days, that absolutely includes at least a working knowledge of all things computers, including the internet. Most schools, where budgets permit, have computers either in the classroom

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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

or in a computer lab, and students begin using them as a regular part of the curriculum, as early as kindergarten in many instances. Statistics vary, but it is estimated that 165 million people in the United States regularly access the internet, and the top five websites worldwide are USbased. Seventy-three percent of American homes own at least one computer, and usage figures are rising exponentially. What does all this mean to the parents of budding young minds? Several things. First, our children are benefiting from a world of opportunities that were not available in any previous generation. In addition to the computer skills children are acquiring at a very young age, they are learning more in less time and gaining a deeper understanding of the world around them through the ease and availability of the internet as a research tool and the wealth of information it puts at their fingertips. Second, it means their cognitive abilities are growing in new and unexpected ways. Research suggests that certain computer-related activities actually aid in the development of neural pathways that enable sharper critical thinking skills, multitasking ability, and creativity, similar to the influence of early exposure to music and language. Third, early computer use serves as hands-on training for later life, regardless iSafetyOnline http://www.isafetyonline.com
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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

of what career path a child chooses. From handheld devices to the most advanced and specialized processors in use today, nearly every field capitalizes on the increased efficiency that computers allow. And finally, the presence of this technology in a childs life means not only new and better opportunities, but new risks as well. Part of a parents responsibility in this environment is knowing where the potential for danger exists, teaching children the skills to avoid harm, and, as in all areas of life, providing the structure and limits that will keep children safe until they are mature enough to do so themselves.

New Opportunities Bring New Dangers


Statistics on internet-related risks, as reported at the website of Parental Control Products, are frightening. Their website reports that one in four children will be exposed to sexually explicit graphics, one in five will receive a sexual proposition, one in 17 will be harassed or threatened, iSafetyOnline http://www.isafetyonline.com
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and one in 33 will be aggressively pursued by sexual predators. Other dangers, albeit less horrific, also overshadow users of the net. Unsupervised or without clear, specific guidelines about internet use, a smart child can put himself and his family in an unpleasant or damaging position. Merchandise can be ordered online by anyone with access to a credit card number. The family email account can be bombarded with spam if the address is used to request information from the wrong individual or website. Viruses can infect your system through innocent looking email. Unauthorized downloads can clog a computer with adware and spyware, rendering it virtually unusable. Though far less terrifying than the possibility of child abduction or sexual abuse, these risks are actually much more likely to occur and can have negative consequences for the entire family. Your kid, teen, son, daughter loves Internet or surfing on the net? Did you know that your child or teen is vulnerable to attacks from Online Predators while innocently going about their activities online? Did you know that all of their activities online leaves footprints which can be traced back, which might be stumbled upon by others, including online predators?

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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

Take a look at the following * 42% of kids reports of being bullied online
* 35% of kids reports of being threatened online * 21% of kids reports of having received mean or threatening email * 58% of kids reports of having being told mean or hurtful things online * 53% of kids admits of having said mean or hurtful things to another person online * 58% of kids have not informed their parents about hurtful experience online
*As per study conducted by isafe.org

In the real world, it is more or less possible, at least to a large extent, to keep a tab on your child's activities. It is an altogether different scenario in the online world, with so many social networks available, it becomes near impossible to know the where, what and how of your teen's activities. And then there are those places visited by teens which parents have not even heard of. It is indeed an altogether different world from the one we know. Not that your teen will do anything deliberately, but their seemingly friendly interactions with others might turn out to be due to false or assumed identity by others. It is said that the experiences during childhood or adolescence shapes the

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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

future of the child. This has now come to include the experiences online too. Many criminals are found to have had a history of very disturbed childhood, while many successful people has had a history of supportive parents and a well balanced life. In this age of cyberworld, the online world does not only pertain to internet at home anymore, but has extended to portable internet enabled computers and devices, mobile phones etc. With their widespread use, it has become very easy to share information and spread it instantly. Like most things else, along with the usefulness comes along the harmful side of it too. Your child's security and privacy is of utmost importance. As parents there cannot be anything more important than keeping our kids safe and secure, whether offline or online. Tracking their kid's activities online with an aim to keep them safe and secure is something not thought of, due to unawareness on the part of parents, of such a possibility. With so many children suffering as a result of some happenings online, it has become a top priority now for parents to take steps to keep them safe and secure. The damage or hurt which could be inflicted on our children mentally, emotionally in the online world is very real. The scar could last a lifetime, even

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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

lead to extreme actions. We cannot afford to ignore this. We cannot ignore the fact that just as in the physical world where both good and evil resides, so it does in the online world too. In this world we do everything in our hands to keep our kids safe, don't even hesitate in spending wherever and whenever necessary to keep our children more safe, why should it be any different in the online world too, where the possibility of getting hurt with deep scar is very real? There has already been a number of cases of extreme hurt, action and consequences which has made it to the news. We don't want any of such things to happen to our children. Kids naturally are inquisitive and their curiosity to explore things further when surfing online, can very easily lead them to 'unwanted' sites, or can lead them to innocently try out some new seemingly interesting activities online, which might compromise their safety. Like in this world where you can always ask around and gather information of your teen's activities, same cannot be applied to the online world. You need very efficient tracking system, which is simply not possible for most people. It is understandable that the majority would not even be aware of the

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possibility to keep a track on their kid's activities online with the intention of keeping them safe only. Because the words has not spread far and wide yet. Your teen's future depends on their whole well being now, and their safety and security now during their most tender years. Nothing should stop you in ensuring that.

The following are some of the activities online where your child can be at risks of being attacked from online predators.
Cyberbullying : It obviously means act of bullying online. It may not seem like it but this can hurt quickly and very badly. There has been stories in the news of children or teens who had been driven to violent crimes or even suicide as a result of being bullied online ...more on cyberbullying. Sexting : This refers to the sending of sexually explicit messages, which can be in the form of text, photos or videos among others. Such a content getting leaked could lead to unwelcome sexual solicitations or bullying, which further could lead to disastrous consequences ...more on sexting. Online Friends : The internet has facilitated interactions and sharing of information with strangers and acquaintances easy. Making friends online has never been easier. In reality a so called friend can turn out to be a person with assumed identity with not so friendly intentions. By the time this is realized, iSafetyOnline http://www.isafetyonline.com
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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

they would already have access to personal information which can be used for causing tremendous harm ...more on online friends. Bad Content Online : And of course there is the bad content online, in the form of materials which can negatively influence kids and teenagers. It becomes easy for your kid to even if inadvertently, come across negative content through search engines, pop ups or spams. The harmful effects of this includes psychological and social problems for teens, could also lead to isolation, internet addiction and phobias ...more on bad content online. Online Photos & Videos : These are media made available on the net via blogs, websites, emails, social networking sites etc. Obviously inappropriate content your child may be viewing via all these might include violence, pornography and all kinds of inappropriate content. The photos, videos or contents uploaded by your child or someone else might be misused by online predators ...more on online photos & videos. Internet Addiction : This refers to uncontrollable use of the internet resulting in damage in regards to relationships, or schoolwork, or employment. This is believed to mask depression, low self-esteem, social anxiety etc. The user is not exercising the required activities in terms of their minds and bodies ...more
on internet addiction.

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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

Kids & Online Commerce : This is about kids carrying out monetary transactions online. The harmful effects includes overspending, getting scammed, purchasing prohibited items and damaging the card holder's credit score ...more on kids & online commerce. Online Reputation : Like any reputation, online reputation is very real and damage to this, especially during adolescence years can haunt for years to come. A bad online reputation not only affects self esteem but has an impact on the social, educational and career prospects ...more on online reputation. Teens & Mobile Phones : This has come to be included due to the enhanced functionality and usage now possible using mobile phones, and of course their widespread use. Along with the usefulness, this has also facilitated harassing others, facilitating gossip and other social activity at school ...more on teens &
mobile phones.

Video Sharing : As the name suggest this involves sharing videos online which is usually passed around. The focus of concern here is that some children having possession of a video shot at a party of other children recording some private scene, uploads the video online which gets passed around the net. The damage to the image of the children involved can well be imagined ...more on video sharing.

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Using the Internet has become a way of life for this century's kids. As technology continues to advance, the Internet is essential for communication, education and fun. However, the advances in real-time information sharing can pose serious threats to children. In addition to the Internet predators that many parents are aware of, children are also at risk for stalking, bullying, addiction, legal consequences and other on-line dangers. When allowing children to use the Internet, parents should use the tips listed below to ensure that all members of the family can enjoy a safe and fun on-line environment.

The 101 Internet Safety Tips For Kids


1. Set Rules. Determine what your child needs to use the computer for. This could be school-related or just for entertainment. Make sure your child knows what he or she is and is not allowed to do on the computer. Boundaries can be set based on a childs age and maturity level, and can include site restrictions, program use, and activities. Establish consequences for breaking the rules. 2. Make a Pact. Create a family contract regarding Internet use. This document can contain house rules about on-line conduct. Basic templates can be found on-line, and

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you can modify the document to include your childrens input when preparing a final draft. You may also want to include facts and statistics about on-line safety to remind children of the dangers. Have children read and sign the contract, and post it near the computer area for easy reference. 3. Take the Quiz. Many Internet safety websites offer on-line multiple choice quizzes that children can take to test their knowledge about being safe on-line. After discussing Internet safety with your child, suggest they take one of the quizzes to show you what they know. 4.Create a Schedule. While the Internet can be fun and useful, children should be involved in activities outside of using a computer. One child using the Internet more than others can also result in jealousy and arguments. Make a schedule with fair time limits to allow all family members to have access to the Internet when necessary. Determine time limits based on how much Internet use is necessary for homework and other activities. Outside of homework research, no more than an hour on-line daily could be a good rule of thumb. 5.Computer Area.

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Keep the computer in an open, family area instead of in a child's bedroom. This will make it easier to keep an eye on their activities. If there are multiple computers in your home, consider designating one as a family computer and password restricting access to the others. 6.Home Alone. Until you are confident that rules can be followed, do not let children use the Internet unless a parent is home to monitor activity. Passwords to block access to the computer can be used to enforce this practice. 7.Block Viruses. Be sure that personal computers and laptops are equipped with virus detection software that scans and updates on a regular basis. A good program will also monitor spyware and alert you of any threats. 8.Block Pop-ups. Set the Internet browser to block pop-up websites and advertisements. This will allow for cleaner web surfing, as well as minimize the chances of children viewing offensive material. 9.Limit Browser Functionalities.

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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

Modify Internet browser settings so they do not automatically save website information, like user names and passwords. Clear cookies and temporary Internet files on a weekly basis. 10. Protect Wireless Networks. If wireless Internet access is used, protect the wireless network connection with a password and firewall to keep unwanted users out. 11. Consider Kid-Geared Browsers. Several companies have created browsers made specifically for younger users. These Internet browsers feature built-in filtering capabilities to protect young eyes from unwanted and explicit material. Browsers like Glubble and Buddy Browser include features to disable external chat and encourage media sharing and social interactions with family and other people the child already knows. 12. Suggest Family-Friendly Websites. Find educational and wholesome websites for your child to visit, and add them to a bookmark list. Show your child how to access the bookmark menu to view the sites. Good suggestions include the websites for your child's favorite educational television programs, government-sponsored educational websites,

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and school or community websites. 13. Create Separate User Accounts. If a home computer is used by all family members, it may be a good idea to give a unique log-on identifier to each user. This can help minimize the risk of important files or folders being accidentally deleted by kids. Parents' user accounts should have full rights to view and change all files saved on the computer, as well the ability to add or delete users. 14. Create Solid Passwords. Teach children to create passwords that are easy for them to remember but difficult for others to guess. Strong passwords will include numbers and letters, and should not be obvious (like a name and birth date.) Teach children how to enter their password when logging in, and show them how to make sure that the Caps Lock is not engaged if the password is case-sensitive. 15. Change Passwords Regularly. Get in the habit of changing password for computer access and websites on a regular basis, every 60 days or so. Be sure that all family members update passwords by scheduling a day when everyone makes their changes.

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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

16. Know Your Kids' Passwords. Keep a list of websites your child uses and the user names and passwords for each. This is useful for monitoring their activity and reminding them of a password when it is forgotten. Make sure they give you're their new password if they change it. 17. Protect Passwords. Teach children not to share their user names or passwords with friends and strangers. Their passwords should be known only by them and their parents. Have them change their password if it is discovered by someone else. 18. Program Installation. Don't allow kids to install new programs unless supervised. Knowing what is being installed on the computer and where it came from can prevent risk of virus infection. Adult installation of new programs will also ensure that new programs are installed correctly. 19. Learn from Kids. Since Internet use is so prevalent in schools, children might know more about the technology than parents do. If you need help understanding how certain

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sites or programs work, kids are always proud to share their knowledge. 20. Secure Sites. Teach children to recognize secure sites by looking for the "https" prefix. Many browsers also display a padlock or green address bar when a site is secured. Most browsers will display a warning when a website's security certificate is inconsistent or expired. Teach children to avoid sites when a security warning is displayed. 21. Update. Keep software and hardware up to date. When latest technologies are used, the computer will run more smoothly and be less susceptible to hackers and viruses. 22. Close Browser Windows Correctly. Teach children to log off of sites that require a user name and password instead of simply closing the browser window. Officially logging off is secure, and it ensures that private information does not remain viewable to hackers or third-parties. 23. Explain Risks.

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Teach children about on-line dangers, like sexual predators and cyberstalkers. Children will have a better appreciation for the family Internet usage rules if they understand that the rules are not created to keep them from having fun, but intended to protect them from harm. 24. Don't Talk to Strangers. Children are naturally trusting and will talk online with anyone who seems friendly or nice. As in real life, remind children not to talk in a chat room or via e-mail with anyone they do not know. If children are approached by strangers in a chat room, instruct them not to respond and to tell you about the encounter immediately. 25. Don't Take Anyone at Face Value. Internet predators are known for posing as children in chat rooms to lure real kids into conversations. This tactic often results in children exposing more personal information than they would to an adult stranger. Instruct children to always be cautious about anyone they meet on-line. 26. Know Who to Call. If a child is being stalked or threatened on-line, contact police with the user's screen name and any other given information. If a child is bullied on-line by a

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classmate, contact the bully's parents. If parental control software is not working correctly, contact the manufacturer's technical support department for assistance. 27. In-Person Meetings. Do not allow children to meet on-line friends in person. This can be difficult for young children to understand, especially if they feel they "know" the person from multiple on-line conversations. If they insist on meeting an on-line friend, accompany your child and meet in a public place. 28. Role Play. Use role playing to reinforce how children should act when approached on-line by someone they do not know. Practice what to say and not sharing personal information. Teach them to feel comfortable ignoring strangers or exiting chat rooms when approached. Also review how they should handle cyberbullies. This practice will make your kids feel more comfortable if the time comes when they need to deal with the real thing. 29. Too Good to Be True. Educate children on how to avoid Internet scams, like moneymaking schemes, chain emails, and false charities. Children can be naive to these ploys and

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often get taken advantage of. If it's too good to be true, it probably isn't. 30. Express Discomfort. Let children know that they can tell you if anything they saw on-line made them feel uncomfortable. This can include photos or conversations in chat rooms. Do not get angry at them for seeing something they shouldn't have seen. Instead, thank them for bringing it to your attention. 31.No Secrets. Tell children to let you know if anyone on-line asked them to engage in a conversation or activity that was to be kept secret. Explain that there is no reason to keep a promise with a stranger, especially when the stranger specifically says not to tell parents. 32.Be Fair. Don't punish children for their friends' bad on-line behavior. Only enforce consequences for actions that your child actually does. This will help to maintain your child's trust that they can tell you about things that happen to them on-line. 33. Photo Sharing.

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Tell children never to send a photo of themselves to anyone they do not know. Explain that when strangers learn more information about a kid's appearance, hometown, age, etc. it can make it easy to find children and hurt them. 34. Photo Safety. If children post photos to their website or social network page, ensure that the photos do not contain identifiers, like house numbers or car license plate numbers. Although a single photo may not seem harmful, predators can use information form a collection of photos to determine a child's home or school location. 35. Maintain Privacy. Tell children not to share personal information on-line. This includes their last name, phone number, address, or school name. If this information is required for registration with a website, kids should check with parents first before supplying the information.

36. Cost Containment. Don't give children credit card numbers to use for on-line purchases or website

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registrations. An adult should always supervise any financial transaction online to ensure that the website is legitimate and secure. 37. On-line Auctions. On-line auction sites, like eBay, do not require credit card information to establish an account. Children can sign up and bid on items without realizing that they are entering a contractual obligation to purchase. 38. Smartphones. If your child has a phone or music player with on-line capabilities, be sure that they understand that the same Internet rules apply, whether on the pc or on a handheld device. If internet access on a smartphone is too much freedom, disable the service or install a parental control application. 39. Apps Add Up. Require parental approval before children download applications to their smartphones. Not only could the app's content be inappropriate, but the cost of multiple applications can result in a shocking expense on the monthly phone bill. 40. Consider Parental Controls.

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Software is available to block unwanted content from the Internet. These programs generally block pornography and violence, but can also be customized to block specific websites or website categories. Adults can use a password to access all sites. Keep in mind that kids may be so familiar with the Internet that they can find ways around parental controls. Be sure to pick a strong password that your children won't figure out. 41. Less Obvious Sites. While parents may immediately think of blocking access to pornography, there are other websites that children should not be exposed to. Don't forget to restrict access to sites depicting dangerous activities, drug use, and hate. Depending on age and maturity level, you may also want to block shopping websites. 42. Be Involved. Know what websites your child visits and be involved in his or her online activities. Ask your child to show you his or her favorite sites and explain why he or she likes them. Spend time together looking at websites on the Internet and finding new appropriate sites to visit. 43. Learn Chat Room Abbreviations.

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The abbreviations kids use when chatting can seem like a foreign language to parents. Get to know the acronyms used in chat rooms and instant messaging so you can tell just what they are talking about. Research on-line can help you decipher the meanings of many abbreviations, or you can ask your child to teach you what those letters mean. 44. Type Carefully. Make sure that children use care when typing a url into the browser's address bar. Some predatory websites purposely choose close spelling variations of legitimate websites just to expose children to explicit material. Children should also mind the various extensions; completing a url with .net instead of .com will lead to a completely different website than the one intended. 45. Have a Purpose. Do not allow random web surfing. This often leads to children visiting inappropriate sites that were linked from another site or found from a web search. If your child can not describe exactly what he or she needs to use the Internet for, don't let him or her use it until the purpose is explained. 46. Know Your Child's Friends. Get to know your child's chat room and social networking friends just like you

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would learn about his or her real life friends. Find out which ones are on-line only friends, how old they are, and how your child met them. Being involved in your child's social circle will help you to recognize any unusual signs as early as possible. 47. Know the Source. Remind children not to open up emails, attachments or links that come from anyone they do not know. If they do not know the person who sent the email, they should delete the message without reading it. 48. Be Skeptical. Teach children not to believe everything they see on-line. Content is not regulated, so nearly anyone can post information regardless of whether or not it is true. Encourage use of reputable sources for homework assignments, including sites with the .org, .edu, and .gov suffix. 49. Know the Difference. Young children may have difficulty separating on-line life from life in the real world. This can be especially confusing when the child is involved in roleplaying games with avatars. Maintain a healthy balance of real life and Internet use to reinforce the separation.

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50. Family E-mail. Create an e-mail address that all family members can share instead of giving young children their own e-mail address. This will allow parental monitoring of e-mails as the child learns more about how to use the Internet. 51. Chat Room Safety. If children use chat rooms, encourage them to stay in the public chat area instead of engaging in private chat. There is safety in numbers, and in a public chat area (as in the real world) a Good Samaritan is likely to jump in if someone is being targeted or threatened. 52. Pornography. Curious teens may want to view pornographic photos or videos. Talk to them about their interest and explain to them about why they should not visit those websites. Use parental control software to block these sites if necessary. 53. Follow Age Limits. Most websites require that registered users be older than 13 years old. Follow these limits; they are there for a reason. Sites that are geared towards teens and adults may include photos or language inappropriate for young children.

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Pornographic websites and websites for tobacco companies often require that visitors be over age 18, and alcohol manufacturer websites require visitors be older than 21 years of age. 54. Kids Social Sites. If your child wants to join a social networking site, suggest those specifically designed for kids, like Webkinz or Club Penguin. These sites offer gaming and a social atmosphere in a kids-only environment. They also have built in privacy features, like use of an avatar instead of a profile photo. 55. "Friend" Your Kids. Create an account on the same social networking site that you child uses and become one of their friends. This will allow you to keep an eye on what they do, as well as monitor the activity of their friends. 56. Social Networking Privacy. If your child uses an adult social networking site, teach your child how to use the privacy features so they can keep personal information private. Set up their pages so friends can only be added with their consent. Unless someone is a confirmed friend, he or she will not be able to view any of the details of your child's page.

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57. Instant Messaging Privacy. Help your child set up an instant messaging profile that only allows people from a buddy list to see when he or she is online. His or her status will remain invisible to strangers, which will eliminate messages from unknown users. 58. Protect Your Child's Friends. Review websites and blogs that belong to your child's school friends to ensure that they too are protecting their own privacy. Let the friends' parents know if you notice any postings or activity that could pose risks. 59. Time Limits. If Internet use becomes excessive or replaces normal socialization and activities, install a program that sets limits on time spent on-line and blocks access during specified hours. Programs that enforce time limitations can be found on-line, and many parental control software programs include time limit features. 60. Follow Website Policies. Most websites include a terms and conditions page that may include rules of conduct in discussion boards or use of copyrighted materials. When a child

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registers with a website, read these policies together to ensure your child understands the expectations. 61. Beware Classified Ads. Although children may like to browse for sale/wanted ads on Backpage or Craigslist, do not allow them to respond to the ad directly. Instead, a parent should initiate the communication. 62. Check Their E-mail. Log in to your child's email account from time to time to ensure they are following the house rules of Internet conduct. Check both incoming and outgoing messages for anything unusual. 63. Avoid E-mail Spam. Reduce e-mail spam by limiting the websites your child registers for using an e-mail address. Also teach children not to reply to junk e-mails. Most e-mail programs have spam filters that will automatically delete pornographic or bulk advertising messages. 64. Email Preview. Set email preferences so messages do not display unless clicked on. When

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the content of e-mail messages displays automatically, your child may see explicit photos or messages that they had no control over receiving. 65. Photo Downloads. Tell children not to download pictures or videos from unknown sources. Although they may be labeled innocently, these files could contain viruses or display pornographic materials. 66. Research Safeguards. Learn about the filtering programs and protections used anywhere your child accesses the Internet, including at school, at the library, or at friend's houses. 67. User Names. Require parental approval of children's nicknames for websites, chat rooms, and on-line games. Be sure that the name does not contain too much personal information and that it does not include slang or references that are inappropriate for a child. If an avatar is used for certain websites, also ensure that it is tasteful and age-appropriate. 68. Be Wary of Strange Messages. Hackers and e-mail viruses can operate under recognized identities, so teach

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children to be aware of any strange e-mails, even if the sender's name is familiar. Examples of strange messages include attachments with odd file extensions or incoherent words in the message body. Treat these messages as they would ones from unknown senders. 69. Protect Others' Email Addresses. To avoid sharing away e-mail addresses of friends and family, do not allow children to let social networking sites scan their e-mail address book. 70. Go Direct. Instead of using a search engine to access sites, have children type the url directly into the address bar or use a bookmark. This will eliminate the possibility of offensive or unrelated sites being accessed from a web search. 71. Search Engine Filter. Using a filtering program can help eliminate inappropriate results from a web search. Without a filter, a web search can bring up material that children should not see. 72. Assume Permanence. Teach children to operate under the assumption that everything they post on-

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line is permanent and can be found by predators or hackers even after deletion. While social networking pages and websites can be deleted, people who know how to find it can still access the information. 73. Blog Privacy. If your child wants to write in a blog or web diary, find a site that allows private and password-secured blogs. Blogs with privacy protection will ensure that your child's personal profile is not revealed. Modify the blog settings so comments can not be added to posts; this will reduce spam and negative or offensive feedback. 74. Positive Examples. Find content-appropriate blogs made by other children as an example for your child to model his or hers after. Good examples may be blogs centered on a favorite sports team, television show, or hobby. 75. Review Their Posts. Screen your child's writing or photos before they are posted on-line to ensure that they do not include too much personal information. Watch out for less obvious identifiers, like school mascot names and names of friends.

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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

76. Protect Emotions. Blog and diary content can include very personal topics. Ask your child if he or she is comfortable sharing the content with strangers before they post it. If he or she is not sure, do not post. 77. Be a Detective. Perform occasional web searches for your child's name, address and other identifying factors to see if they have posted any personal information on a website. This research can also help you determine if your child started a website or blog without your knowledge. 78. Watch for Obsessive Behavior. E-mail and social networking can become an addiction for adults and children. Watch for signs of obsession, including constantly wanting to check for new messages or frustration when not able to access the sites. 79. Vulnerability. Be aware of blog posts or discussion board comments that show emotional vulnerability. Not only are these what Internet predators look for, but they could be signs of emotional stresses and troubles that your child is not comfortable

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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

sharing with you. 80. Cyberbullying. Bullies no longer exist only in the classroom. Oftentimes, the same child who bullies a child in person will begin to bully on-line through chat or instant messages. Look for signs of cyberbullying, like a child becoming upset when online or a not wanting to go to school. 81. Golden Rule. Don't allow your child to bully or gossip about others on-line. Even though the interactions are not in-person, the same rules of conduct and respect should apply. Have disciplinary consequences for not treating others kindly. 82. Honesty. Do not allow your children to pretend that they are someone else online. This includes not listing their actual age on social networking sites. Instead of lying, teach them to use privacy controls to hide information and not answer questions that make them feel uncomfortable or would require them to reveal personal information. 83. Piracy.

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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

Do not allow children to download, share, or duplicate copyrighted software or music without paying. Even if your child is not distributing the material further, use of pirated software and music is still illegal. Explain that it is stealing and there are serious legal consequences. 84. Block File-Sharing. File-sharing network sites often distribute copyrighted material. The unknown source of the download creates privacy and virus risks. Many file sharing software programs also place a file on your computer that allows others to receive files from you, with or without your knowledge. 85. Use Voice Chat With Care. Some on-line video games allow for voice chatting. Be sure that if children participate, they follow the same rules as in a text chat room and do not divulge personal information to strangers. Keep in mind that predators may disguise their voices to sound like children even though they are adults. 86. Encourage Playing with Friends. Recommend that your child play on-line games and chat with friends from school and other activities instead of exclusively communicating with on-line only friends. Knowing everyone personally creates the safest environment for

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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

on-line play. 87. Know the Games. Become aware of the games your child plays on-line. Understand the rules, content, and average player age. Playing games with your kids is a good way to get involved in their on-line activities without appearing too intrusive. 88. Minimize Fees. Many on-line video games have monthly service fees that children may not know about until parents receive the bill. Steer your kids towards free games that do not require submission of personal credit card information. 89. Prohibit Gambling. Remind your children that it is illegal for minors to gamble on-line. Even though it's not real money, discourage use of non-monetary casino gambling games (like free poker and blackjack), as they still operate around a wagering system that can lead to actual gambling in the future. 90. Supervise. Young children should not use the Internet without supervision. Always stay with young kids while they are on-line to answer questions and eliminate the

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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

possibility of wandering onto an inappropriate site. 91. Role Model. All members of the family members should act as positive role models for children who are just beginning to use the Internet. Everyone should follow the same rules of conduct with respect to safety concerning the sharing of personal information. Parents especially should practice what they preach with regard to software piracy, pornography, and chat rooms. 92. Cyberdating. Discourage teens from using websites to meet potential boyfriends or girlfriends. These sites are intended for adults, and many have niches that may not be appropriate for anyone younger than 18 years old. In addition, people are not always what they seem, and these romance sites are a haven for Internet predators. 93. Review Browser History. Take a look at the history of sites visited to see where your child went on-line and what they did. Confront them with indiscretions or questions you have about their web browsing activities.

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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

94. Webcams. While webcams can be useful for video chat with friends or long distance relatives, ensure that children use the device appropriately. Children should avoid video chat with strangers because of the physical recognition factor. Review your child's videos before they are posted or distributed to others. 95. Sexting. Explain the dangers and legal consequences of children and teens sending each other nude or partially nude photos via the Internet. Once the photo is sent by the originator, he or she has no control over what other people decide to do with it. Remind them that once something is posted on-line it can travel quickly and be seen by many people, including family, friends, and teachers. 96. Look for Signs of Misconduct. If a child or teen quickly closes a browsing window when you enter the room or you find that browsing history has been deleted, it is often a sign that he or she is not following the rules. Children rarely hide good behavior. Find out what is going on and discipline accordingly. 97. Plagiarism.

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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

When a child uses on-line resources for homework assignments, be sure that they do not copy other people's ideas as if they were their own. Explain plagiarism and the consequences it will have at school. If you suspect that your child has used someone else's content, several free plagiarism-detections services exist on-line. 98. Sibling Enforcement. Teach older children to protect younger brothers and sisters on-line and to tell parents if they are engaging in any potentially harmful activities. Younger children often look up to older siblings and are comfortable learning the ropes from them. 99. Respect Others' Privacy. Teach children to respect the privacy of others by not reading e-mails intended for other people. Also teach kids not to add someone to a mass-mailing e-mail distribution list without asking first. This also goes for forwarding jokes, chain letters, or e-mail rumors to people who don't want to receive them. 100. Teen Identity Theft. Teens may not realize that they are candidates for identity theft because they usually do not have bank accounts and credit cards. Explain to your teens that

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Tracking Kid's Activities Online Yes This is The Best Way

they still need to safeguard their personal information, not to avoid loss of current assets, but to protect their credit from other people opening accounts in their name. 101. Block Outgoing Content. If children are not mature enough to follow rules about not providing information to websites, software programs are available to block users' outgoing content. These programs would allow children view-only access to websites.

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