How To Use The Internet Resourcefully

T e c h n o lo g y. E d u a

.t i o n .C o l l e g e

Children & the Internet

Many children are skilled navigators when it comes to browsing online. They are comfortable using computers and are fascinated by the wide world of information and images that can be explored at the touch of a keystroke. It is estimated that nearly 10 million youths are online now, or 14% of U.S. children. This figure is expected to reach 42 million by 2002.

The Internet offers children and youth tremendous opportunities to explore new ideas, visit foreign lands, meet other children, and participate in challenging games. But like the real world, aspects of the virtual world can be dangerous and harmful to children. Parents, teachers, and other guardians cannot always be on hand to prevent children and youth from visiting web sites with harmful or objectionable content nor will they always be available to discuss with children what they are encountering in the online world. There are may explict sites online providing pornography, profanity, hate speech and much more. There are also millions of advertising messages and images that are highly manipulative of children.

How To Minimize The Risks
The best way to assure that your children are having a positive online experience is to stay in touch with what they are doing.
· First, have your child show you how to access the Internet.
· Spend time with your children when they are online.
· Explore the wide range of information that is available and discuss with them which topics you consider off-limits.
· Keep the lines of communication open so that you can talk to your children, and they will recognize your interest in what they are doing is genuine.
· Monitor the amount of time your child spends with the computer. Excessive use of online services, especially late at night, may signal a potential problem. The same parenting skills that apply to the "real world" also apply while online.
· Set your rules for the use of the Internet .

Guidelines For Parents
Parents who are concerned about their children's use of electronic resources should provide guidance to their own children. It is important that you as a parent assume responsibility for your child's online computer use, at home, at school, or in the library. Part of your family rules may be:
· Never give out identifying information such as home address, school name, or telephone number.
· Decide whether you want personal information such as age, marital status, or financial information revealed.
· Never allow your child to arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone via the computer without your approval.
· Never respond to messages that are suggestive, obscene, threatening, or make you or your child uncomfortable.
· If you or your child become aware of the transmission of child pornography, report it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.
· Remember that people online may not be who they say they are.
· Remember everything you read may not be true.
· Remember that personal computers and online services should not be used as electronic babysitters.
Make computer use a family activity. Get to know your child's online friends as well as their other friends.

Here you will find resources for parents and teachers to learn more about the issues so they can prepare young Internet users to maximize the benefits of cyberspace and minimize the dangers. Children today like to search for a lot of things on the internet, but we recommend for you to watch where your children are browsing so before you let your children online CLICK HERE and take them through this web site first. This web site helps you explain to your children what they should pay attention to when they are on the internet how to help themselves along with handling emergencies, and how it applies to them at home and around school. Check out some of these safety sites to visit below:

Kids Internet Radio:
Kids Internet Radio is committed to sharing children's music, art and stories from around the world through the Internet fostering sharing, understanding, knowledge and peace. What you should do if you receive a note from somebody that you don't know or doesn't look right, sit down with your child and let them listen to what they should watch out for when they get on the internet.

GetNetWise
This web site helps explain to children more safety instructions about the internet and the warnings that the children should watch for.
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. GetNetWise can help.

Famous Internet Places for Children to go:

1. CartoonNetwork- On Cartoon network you can play games on there and you can look at the animation and find out other information about other cartoon character and more.
2. ZigzagZone - Is a from Fox28 new internet page just for children where you can play games and it also have an art gallery to place your art into and there is also a spot on there for them to help your child with their homework
3. ToonDisney- Here is where you can go and find games and printout puzzles to play connect the dots and coloring pictures
4. Disney- This Disney page has many different places for you to choose from Zoog Disney to Disney's Playhouse; on here your parents can plan out their vacation.
5. PawIsland- A new company owned by Zoobooks has this website created for the little children and their imagination
6. Nick.com- Nickelodeon has created Nick.com for you to see their new cartoons and play games with their characters.

Website for the entire family:

1. ChatFamily.com- Chat Family provides an clean environment. They provide one of the cleanest chat rooms on the internet and we back it up with our moderated rooms staffed by trained admits here to help provide the cleanest site on the internet