Online Safety for Children, Teens, and Their Parents
"The Internet offers kids many opportunities for learning, constructive entertainment, and personal growth. At the same time, parents are concerned about the risks kids face online. The challenge for parents is to educate themselves and their children about how to use the Internet safely."--American Library Association
The following are recommended guidelines for parents and legal guardians to ensure that minors have positive and safe online experiences, whether in the library or at home. If necessary, the library can provide additional information to help parents and legal guardians in their efforts to exercise their rights and responsibilities regarding their minor's use of the Internet.
* Use the Internet as a family. Join your children or teens in Internet exploration.
* Provide guidelines for your children or teens on the amount of time they can spend online each day and about sites you consider appropriate or inappropriate for them.
* Teach children to be good online consumers. As with print information, consider the source, date, and accuracy of online information.
* Instruct children or teens NEVER to give out personal information such as name, address, parents' work address, Internet password, telephone number, the name and location of their school, or credit card information online, unless they have your permission.
* Counsel children and teens NEVER to send their picture without your permission to anyone they meet online.
* Tell your children or teens to let you knowimmediately if they come across any information or messages online that make them feel uncomfortable.
* Tell your children or teens NEVER to agree to get together with anyone they meet online without first checking with you. If you should agree to a meeting, make sure it is in a public place and accompany your child or teen.
Teach your children to be good online citizens and not to do anything that hurts other people or is against the law or Library policy regarding Internet use.
Surf the Internet Using Search Engines recommended by the American Library Association:
American Library Association "Great Web Sites for Kids"
Ask Jeeves for Kids!
Yahooligans!
Web Sites Recommended by the American Library Association
What Makes a Web Site Good? http://www.multcolib.org/homework/webeval.html
American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/children.html