The Internet provides access to a wealth of information - some valuable and some undesirable. How can you help make your child's Internet experience safe, enjoyable and productive?
Encourage the children in your life to follow some basic but critical rules for on-line safety:
- Never give out personal information (full name, address, age, phone
number, computer passwords, school or financial information);
- Choose a 'gender-neutral' online name that doesn't identify you; and
- Tell a trusted adult if you encounter anything that makes you
uncomfortable.
Remember that anyone with a computer, software and Internet connection can put their ideas and opinions on to the Internet. Teach kids to evaluate the information they find on-line. Is it reliable (who or what is the source?) Is it current (particularly important for medical and financial information)? Is it accurate (can you verify this information)?
As the parent or friend of a child, you can be the child's best defence against suspect information or people. Start by becoming familiar with the Internet yourself: ask your child or a friend to show you the basics, or book a training session with one of our dedicated volunteers. Put the computer in your main living space – family room or kitchen. Write and sign a family contract (see www.safekids.com or Ilene Raymonds' A Parents' Guide to the Internet for examples). If your child wishes to meet an on-line friend in person, arrange to meet in a public place and be sure to go along. Get to know your child's online friends as you do their other friends.
The children's department at our library offers access to preselected web sites only, and children who wish to have full access to the Internet must have their parent sign a parental consent form in person at the library. By signing this form, parents accept responsibility for their child's use of the Internet.
Please visit www.cobourg.library.on.ca/internet.html for our full Internet access policy.
NOTE: Join us on Wednesday, May 15 at 7 p.m. for a discussion of In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje – the book that all Canadians are reading!
Shelagh Straughan/
Cobourg Public Library
