Online Socializing: Safety Tips

Aired on Lifetime Television
July 20 and September 7, 2008
Show 516

When dinner's ready, do you have to e-mail or text your kids to let them know? About 87 percent of teens use the Internet with more than half going online every day. It's a popular way for kids for communicate with each other, replacing TV watching – and even the mall – for many kids. All of this online chatter can actually be quite beneficial if your kids surf and socialize smart. Because your children's identities begin to blossom by age eight, the internet can be a tool for introducing your kids to socialization and peer interaction. Kid friendly social websites offer a safe and fun environment for kids to interact, express themselves more freely, share ideas and discover new peer groups without the limitations they normally deal with at school. But I probably don't need to remind you that the Internet also has some sinister sites, misinformation, and people out there. Make your children are aware of the dangers. Navigate some sites and chat rooms with them. Provide examples of how you should – and should not – interact with others. Teach them why they shouldn't share personal information or pictures with people they don't know. Set up the computer they use in a place where you can keep an eye on it. You can also use software monitoring programs – or even the security features that come with browsers and computers – to approve or block specific websites and track their activities. Check their browsing history, too. Chatting or blogging online can help your older kids develop their writing, reading, and typing skills. A university study showed an increase in grade point averages and test score in kids who used the internet at home for a year and a half. Like most things in life, common sense and moderation is the key when it comes what your kids do online, and done right, it can be a very healthy part of learning and socializing.