Connecting with your Connected Kids this Summer

By Marian Merritt  |  July 7, 2008

Can Kids get into Trouble on the Internet?

You bet they can. Especially over the summer when there’s more than the usual amount of free time, there’s an abundance of online activity available to kids of all ages.

Here’s a checklist of a few questions to keep in mind this summer:

• What are your kids posting online?
  Be sure to talk to your children about what messages and photos they are posting online. They also want to make sure their friends aren’t posting photos or information about them either. You can track the sending of digital photos from the phone (just check your online or paper invoice) and make sure your child shows you the photos so you can advise them about anything you deem risqué or inappropriate for sharing.
• Is your child an online victim? Are they practicing good online “manners”?
  We have to talk to our children and make sure they know "the golden rule" and understand that it applies to their use of the cell phone and the computer, too. If they join social networking Web sites, ask to see any profile or Web page they create. If they are bullies or victims, it will be clear to you. Also, if your child seems to be sad or angry after using the cell phone or PC, ask them what the problem might be. A gentle probe may reveal that they are the victim of a cyber bully. It ’s our responsibility as parents to make sure that our children are neither victims nor bullies.
• How strong are your passwords?
  Make sure to practice good password management and security - never share your passwords with others. And be sure to change your passwords frequently!
• How is your family represented online?
  Some time this summer, be sure to "Google" yourself and your family members to check on what ’s available about you and your kids online. Don’t be shy about searching social networks (including your friends and colleagues) and be sure to remove anything private or inappropriate.
• How much information is available about you and your family?
  It’s a good idea to get rid of any online calendars or itineraries from Web sites and social networks regarding your future travels and whereabouts. Even the popular Facebook, which shows events you plan to attend, could easily tip off potential stalkers.

Stay on top of it!

Check out the games, read the messaging concerning the safety precautions they have built into the sites, register your own account to see what kinds of information are required and if there are any stated age limits. Turn off or limit any chat features to further protect your child ’s experience. Also, be sure you know how much it ’s all going to cost you.

Your interest and daily involvement in what your kids do online is the very best way to make sure they ’re doing the right thing. Ask your kids to show you the Web sites they and their friends visit. Ask them how the sites work, and how they learned about them.