Keeping Kids Safe on the Internet

The technology of the internet has provided children with a world of opportunities like never before. It has allowed them to find nearly any piece of information and to meet people around the world with the simple click of a button. Some studies have even suggested that internet use can increase academic performance and certain skills.⁵ However, despite the benefits internet use can provide, it can also bring about risks.

• Remembering past losses
• Trying to accomplish too much
• Feelings of isolation and loneliness
• Financial difficulties
• Unrealistically high expectations
• Currently feeling, or anticipating, a significant loss
• Comparing your past life with your current situation

• Viewing of inappropriate information or pictures. Even if they aren't looking for it, children can easily be exposed to material that is graphic, violent, or too mature for their age.
• Increased purchasing power. The internet can provide connections for children to purchase items — both legal and illegal.
• Sharing personally identifiable information. Even if children are careful not to give out information such as their name or address, sharing other information can still provide enough detail to put them at risk.
• Increased risk of downloading unwanted files. The internet is home to many potentially harmful files such as viruses or illegally downloaded music that can be easily transferred onto your computer.
• Increased likelihood of becoming a target of a potential kidnapper, abuser, or other person who may want to harm your child. The internet can connect your child to people they may have not otherwise come into contact with. While some of these contacts may be trustworthy, this is unfortunately not always the case.
• Increased chances of being bullied online. Children sometimes make use of today's technology by using email or websites to spread rumors, tease others, or make threats.

How to Protect Your Children
Although using the internet can bring about potential dangers, you can provide your children with the skills necessary to minimize risk while they are using the internet.

• Set limits. Talk to your child about what you expect of them and what's off limits when it comes to internet use. Come to an agreement and stick to it.
• Consider putting the computer in a common area. Children are more likely to follow the rules you set for internet use if the computer is in a place where you can easily monitor how they are spending their time online.
• Be available for your child to talk to. By having open and honest communication with your child, they will feel more comfortable coming to you if they encounter a problem.
• Teach your child to never give out their personal information. This includes their name, address, phone number, school name and mascot, parent's name and employer, city, pictures of themselves, or any other piece of information that a stranger could use to locate your child.
• Remind your child that people online may not be who they say they are. The person they've been talking to who they think is a 13-year-old girl that lives halfway around the world may, in reality, be a 45-year old man who lives down the street.
• Equip your computer with monitoring and/or blocking tools. There are many programs available for purchase that allow you to monitor the websites your child visits online and/or block websites you identify.
• Stay informed. Become familiar with the technology your child is using. Keep a close eye on your child's use of chat rooms, emails, instant messaging, blogs, and social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook. These sites can be used by adults to develop a relationship with children. If you are not sure how the websites or technology works, have your child show you. This can be a time to strengthen your relationship and communicate with your child.
• Watch out for warning signs. If your child is spending long or odd hours online, being secretive about their internet use, or receiving gifts, mail, or phone calls from people you don't know, it's a good idea to talk to them about their internet use.

The most important thing you can do to keep your child safe while on the internet is to stay informed and involved in what they're doing. Although many potential dangers are lurking on the internet, there are also many opportunities for your child to broaden their horizons, increase their knowledge, and enrich their experiences. As with so many other aspects of parenting, they just need to be shown the way.

References:
¹ Cynkar, Amy. (November, 2007). Socially Wired. Monitor on Psychology, Vol. 38, No. 10, 47-49.
² Federal Bureau of Investigation. (n.d.). A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety. Retrieved November 7, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm
³ National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. (2001-2007). Statistics. Retrieved November 2, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.netsmartz.org/safety/statistics.htm
⁴ National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center. (2006). An Inter(safety)net. Tech Beat. Retrieved October 29, 2007 from the PsycNet database.
⁵ Packard, Erika. (November, 2007). It's fun, but does it make you smarter? Monitor on Psychology, Vol. 38, No. 10, 44-46.

This material is provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health, Inc. for informational/educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical/clinical advice. Only a healthcare provider can make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment plan. For more information about your behavioral health benefits, you can call the member services or behavioral health telephone number listed on your healthcare identification card.