Keeping Your Teenagers Safe Online

Between the ages of 13 and 19, you began to allow your children more freedom in making their own decisions.  Once your children reached this age, if you have been a diligent parent, you expect your children to behave responsibly and take into consideration all the values that you have taught them. However, in this age of technology, it can be extremely difficult for your children to always make the right choice.  Therefore, it is up to you as a parent to ensure that your child is safe online, while still allowing them to freely express themselves and be teenagers. Between the ages of 13 and 15, you should probably assume that your child is using such tools as email, text messaging, and instant messaging to interact with others online.  Though these tools are fun and help your child to develop socially, they are also dangerous if used improperly.  One of the biggest concerns with such software is online predators.  And though you may believe that your child is responsible, many children admit to meeting strangers that they have met on the Internet in offline situations.  Another growing problem with this age group is cyberbullying and sexual harassment. One step that you can take to keep your teenager safe is limiting online time to an hour and a half or less per day.  You should also be frank with your children and discuss the dangers of offline meetings with strangers that they have met on the Internet.  For younger teenagers, the use of software to filter inappropriate sites is also helpful.  Children in this age group should not be allowed to participate in social networking and dating sites. By the time your child is 16 or over, he or she should be responsible enough to navigate the waters of the Internet alone.  It is up to you to make sure that your child has been taught online responsibility by this age. With this age group, you should stress that it is important to respect others online.  Your older teenager should also be taught to discern information available on the Internet with a critical eye.  You should also continue to stress the inappropriateness of meeting strangers in offline situations.  Be sure that your teenager is effectively trained at using antivirus programs and firewalls also.  You should also remind your child that once they post any information, photos, or videos on the Internet that they no longer have control over how this material is distributed. Keeping these guidelines in mind should help to make your teenagers' online experiences safer.  But remember it is up to you as the parent to teach your children responsible online habits.