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The
Internet is like a huge department store; sometimes the number of items
available is totally overwhelming. You can literally get lost in
this store, often very quickly. More importantly, as in many department
stores, the quality of internet merchandise varies from discount store
"seconds" to first rate quality. You need to become smart,
informed consumers. Don't get the term "consumer"confused with actually
purchasing on the web. This context refers to consumption of information
available on the world wide web.
Being
able to evaluate web sites is important in order to become intelligent
internet users. As the scope of the Internet continues to increase
to its incomprehensible size, this ability to evaluate information is crucial
to saving time and ensuring accurate, quality research. Web sites
should be judged on the same criteria as print resource: authority,
accuracy, currency, objectivity and coverage.
For
those of you with children who need to assist your child the Internet is
like a huge public library with no card catalog. Vast amounts of
information are available on every topic and subject imaginable.
When we need to help our children with their homework, there are a number
of internet sites that offer ongoing homework help by providing access
to research materials, online tutorials and tips for parents to use when
helping with homework.
Keeping
your children safe as they cruise the information superhighway is no easy
task. The Internet is a great resource with all kinds of helpful
and interesting information, but it's not without its pitfalls. You
want your children to be able to access the information on the internet,
but you worry about inappropriate material and unsavory characters.
Here's
a list of the top five things you can do to keep your children safe as
they surf the Internet.
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BE AN INVOLVED PARENT AND PROVIDE
SUPERVISION. TAKE AN INTEREST AND FIND OUT WHAT YOUR CHILDREN LIKE
TO DO ONLINE.
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TAKE SOME TIME TO EDUCATE YOURSELF
ABOUT THE INTERNET. BE PREPARED. DECIDE WHAT YOU WILL SAY IF
YOUR CHILD RUNS INTO AN UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION.
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TEACH YOUR CHILDREN HOW TO BE SAFE
ON THE INTERNET. IN SCHOOL THE CHILDREN SIGN AN AGREEMENT ON HOW THEY WILL
USE THE INTERNET. YOU CAN CREATE AN INTERNET CONTRACT THAT EVERYONE
MUST SIGN. KEEP IT CLOSE TO THE COMPUTER FOR EASY REFERENCE.
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TAKE THE COMPUTER OUT OF THE CHILDREN'S
ROOM AND PLACE IT IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA WHERE THEY'RE LESS LIKELY TO ENGAGE
IN RISKY BEHAVIOR.
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USE FILTERING SOFTWARE SUCH AS CYBER
PATROL OR NET NANNY AND SET UP YOUR BROWSER TO HELP FILTER INAPPROPRIATE
CONTENT.
This advice
is meant to complement your involvement and provide a backup when you can't
give your children your full attention. Technology should never take the
place of an involved parent. With the correct combination of tools,
you can rest assure that your children are traveling the information superhighway
safely. |
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