Parents should take the responsibility of their children online computer use which reduces the potential risks of being online. Make the following as family rules.
- Never give identifying information like home address, school name, telephone number, photo etc through public messaging services like chat or bulletin board.
- Whenever you are dealing with someone be sure that you and your child know and trust him/her before giving any personal information via chat e-mail etc. Use pseudonym or pseudo name or false name if the service allows it.
- Think twice before submitting any personal information such as age, marital status or financial information.
- Be aware of the services your child uses. Understand the types of information offered by those services.
- Get to know your child’s cyber pals just as you get to know all of their other friends. Never allow your child to arrange a face to face meeting with the cyber pal. If a meeting is arranged, make sure it happens in public place and make sure you accompany your child.
- Never respond to emails or messages from unknown people.
- Never respond to emails or messages which are obscene, threatening or make you feel uncomfortable. If your child receives any message of this type, forward a copy of the message to your service provider for their assistance. You can also contact your local security authority.
- Don’t click links or URLs that looks suspicious.
- Tell your child about the implications of sending/forwarding unknown messages to his/her cyber pals.
- Teach your child about the copyright issues while using the online information.
- Since we cannot see or hear the cyber pals in most cases, they may not be who they seem.
- Remember that everything you read on internet may not be true. Be careful about any offers that involve asking you to come for meeting or having someone visit your place.
- Set rules and guidelines for computer use by your children and stick to it. Limit your children internet using time.
- Keep computer in a general family room rather than in bed room. Be sure to make this a family activity.
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