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Install an Internet filter (see our
Internet filtering reviews and recommendations). If the
software allows for different settings for each user, we recommend blocking all
chat rooms for children under 16. We also strongly recommend blocking file
sharing programs like Kazaa, Limewire, and BearShare completely.
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Place computer in the family room or another open area of your home such that
the screen is easily visible when passing by.
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Publish Family Pledge; post it by all computers. Review it with
each child and have them sign it. (Download Family Safety Pledge Sample)
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Know what your children are doing by:
a) Reviewing
Internet browsing history. For most Web browsers, you can assess this by holding
down Ctrl and pressing “H” at the same time or clicking on the History button on
the web that looks like this:
.
Also, most Internet filters have a feature that lets you know what sites
have been visited, and cannot be erased by tech-savvy children like History
in Web browsers.
b) Checking the
“recent documents” for files transferred or accessed on disks.
c) Surfing
together especially with younger children to learn how they use the web. Get to
know the sites they enjoy and how they interact online.
d) Changing your
child's homepage
(Instructions for changing homepage).
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Educate yourself around issues of online safety. Read Safe Families’
Internet
Safety Manual, view our Internet Safety Course for Parents (coming soon) and keep up-to-date
on news and other resources on the TechMission Safe Families website at
http://www.safefamilies.org.
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Lead by example. Your children are watching you. We recommend that
adults consider signing a Media
Sobriety Covenant for Adults.
Many kids' first pornography exposure is their parents'
material. Just as second hand cigarette smoke is harmful to those exposed,
your media choices can effect your children. It is your responsibility to
keep them from being exposed to pornographic or sexually provocative material. This includes:
- Television and radio
- Internet use
- Magazines and books
- Videos
- Cell phone graphics
Guidelines on Social Networks (MySpace, etc.)
