Internet Safety Rules for Parents

Learn how to keep children safe on the Internet

Children are growing up in a world where the Internet is now an integral part of our lives. Social networks, online games, chat rooms, emails, blogs, new communication tools connect people and spread knowledge faster than ever. As parents, we face the challenge of allowing our kids to access this knowledge while the responsability to shield kids from harmful aspects of being online and exposed remains an urgent necessity. Below is some advice for parents to make sure that the Internet is no longer synonymous with danger.

1. Keep the computer in shared living space

Placing the computer in a shared room is the easiest way to surf as a family keeping an eye on what your kids do online and with whom they communicate online. Children with Internet access in their bedrooms are more likely to use chat rooms and Internet forums inappropriately.

2. Discuss the dangers of the Internet

Explain to your child that his or her security is at risk online and that these rules are being put in place in order to protect him/her. Make sure your child is aware that the information provided on the internet is not always true. Get interested in what your child does on the internet by asking about his or her favorite websites, for exemple.

3. Set family rules for computer usage

Although Xooloo™ Parental Control protects your children from inappropriate material and threats on the Internet, we highly recommend parents accompany their children in their discovery of the virtual world. By educating children to the Internet dangers and taking appropriate measures to protect them, they can benefit from the wealth of the Information Highway.

Set limits and discuss them with your children:
1. Set time limits
2. Insist that your children use a nickname and never share personal information such as their real name, address, credit card numbers, phone number or passwords.
3. Encourage your children to tell you when in doubt about an Internet user's behaviour or about website content.
4. Tell your children not to accept any meeting request, mail, video or images from an unknown or suspicious Internet user.
5. Never participate in chat rooms before the age of 11 years old.

4. Suggest websites for children

We suggest that you supplement Xooloo™parental control with a secure search engine of websites for children such aswww.xooloo.com

Vocabulary

Internet:

An immense, global network that connects computers via phone lines and/or fiber networks to storehouses of electronic information. With only a computer, a modem, a phone line and a service provider, people from all over the world can communicate and share information with little more than a few keystokes.

Blog (Web Log):

Web site designed by an individual who writes entries periodically, often in the form of a private diary, very fashionable with teenagers.

Public Chat rooms:

Real-time text conversation between users in a chat room with no expectation of privacy. All chat conversations are accessible by all individuals in the chat room while the conversation is taking place. E.g: AIM, MSN Messenger...

Instant messaging (MSN and the like):

Tool used to talk instantly with another Internet user registered as a contact in your instant messaging service.

Pseudo or Nickname or Avatar:

Name used by an Internet user making it possible to hide his or her real identity when taking part in discussions on the Web.

Social networks

Social network websites focuses on building and reflecting of social networks or social relations among people. E.g: Facebook, Twitter, Myspace...