Internet Saftey and Your Family "Safety Matters"

Are you tuned in to what's occurring, on your laptop or computer once you aren't there? It's necessary that we have to shield our kids on-line. Just saying don't click this or share that is not enough these days. Many have gotten clever in louring your children to seemingly harmless sites and put in countless hours to do so. This is were you come in. You don't have to put in countless hours but you do have to let your child know your watching! You can start by putting software on your internet devices laptop, tablet, desk top even his or her phone. Yup I said it phone, it has internet too remember.. There are many things you can try to do to shield your child or children simply google internet safety and take your pick. Some are better than others but they all basically do the job.

I suggest you do the following below in getting started.

Established rules for his or her web use and limit time spent surfing or browsing.
Remind NEVER to give out any information about themselves. I mean ANYTHING as many predators use this to pen point where your child lives, hangs out, visits, likes, and dislikes. Basically there mentally setting your child up which can be disastrous.
Remind your child if you don't know them don't invite, talk with or chat with them. Stick with who you know and that's it.
Absolutely DO NOT allow your child to post anything on social media stating where they are. Make sure they DO NOT do a check in of facebook or any social site using any device. Yes their friends will know the place but the bad guy will know where they are too! and we know that's not good.
Common sense is key teach your child Stranger Danger for the internet. The same rules apply even on the web.
How are you able to shield your kid online?
1. Be concerned - Be concerned in your child's web activities. Let her/him show you what sites they have visited or use software. Number one thing is to show interest in what they're doing. If you find something or unsure ask and do due diligence a small thing can lead to a big problem.
2. Rules - place up rules and post them near the P.C. Confirm your child is aware of them and why you have them. Be sure to include what they're allowed to view or try on-line. What sites They can and can not visit . What info they can place online. ( I recommend nothing as this is the safest) but if they do limit it to things others can not pinpoint. Example: do not let them post the name of where they go to school, the name of the sport team in what town etc.. These are all tactics of predators finding your child and possibly luring them. Scarey right something so innocent can lead to horror.
3.Visual - Keep the internet devices in a frequented room. Don't let your child keep the pc or devices in their room and if you do use software to track your child. Sounds like a lot or even like spying but you have to. This is what internet predictors don't want. A predator will notice that your child is careful or non engaging and may be supervised which will discourage them and they move on.

4. Software - install software with parental controls for surfing the net or that records chats etc.. Know what there doing and let them know you know.
5. E-mails - You can link accounts and when your child receives emails or sends emails you get a notice in your inbox with a copy of what was sent or received.
6.IM and chatting - make sure your software system is able to record Instant Messages (IMs & "chats") sent and received.
7.Internet History - Be sure to check this each and every time your child uses any internet device. You can see where and what your child is and was doing on the web.
8.Blocking - Be sure your software is blocking the sites you DO NOT want your child to view or visit.
Parents if you follow these simple rules and advise yours and your child's internet experience will be a great one.Safety is now a big part of our lives with today's society. Teach your child that knowing is OK as it may one day save their LIFE!