Safe Surfing on the Internet

Why should you worry? -- Let's face it. It's never been easier for a dangerous person to reach your child and dig his claws into your lives. The Internet is a wonderful place, but the anonymity of it can be a tool, used with great precision by those who would do your family harm.

The Internet doesn't just contain pornography that your child might find, although that's bad enough. It might also host dangerous strangers who can lure your child away. It can contain recipes for cooking methamphetamine, a frightening addictive drug, and it can point your child to bombs, guns, hate groups, pedophiles, and dangerous products. There are several Web sites that promote self-destructive habits, such as eating disorders. And of course, if your child is on the Internet, your child isn't reading, walking, playing, getting fresh air, or communicating with you.

Be Involved! -- Our best advice to parents is to be actively involved in children's lives and know what they're up to. Keep a close watch over their Web activity and don't allow children to scare you off with complaints about privacy. Dangerous people depend and thrive on your child's privacy. One of the greatest advantages a dangerous person gains over your child is when he has your child alone and away from your protection. Allowing a child to surf without supervision can provide a dangerous person with that advantage he seeks - even before the child leaves your house.

Safer Child highly recommends consistently telling and showing your children - even while still toddlers - that they are beautiful and capable people who mean the world to you, whose company you enjoy and whose opinion you value. We believe that such ongoing affirmation of their self-worth will go a long way toward preventing dangerous Internet behavior as teen-agers.

You are your child's best censor! -- There are Internet filtering devices available. The National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families reviews Internet filtering devices on its site FilterReview.com -- and also includes customer comments. Bear in mind that what you consider to be unacceptable content might not match what the software authors consider unacceptable. Buy carefully.