Do you have a Family Internet Plan?

Parents know they should talk to their kids about smoking and drinking.  But what about the internet?   Does your family have a plan about internet use?  Here are some suggestions to consider when making your family internet plan.

§         Set rules about internet use.  Discuss these rules with your children and then be prepared to enforce them.  Just because your child may know more about this technology than you do, does not mean you are giving up your parental rights on this issue.  Be the parent.  What is the punishment if your rules are not followed? 

§         No computers in the bedroom.  This rule can’t be stressed enough.  Put the computer in a family area of the house.

§         No secret passwords.   Kids can have secret passwords to keep their siblings out, but not their parents. 

§         Internet time limits.

§         Is your child allowed to use the internet when home alone?  At a friend’s house?

§         Instant messages.   If your child sends Instant Messages, they have a screen name and a buddy info profile, which can be used inappropriately.  Ask to see your child’s buddy list, profile and away message.  Do you know all the people on your child’s buddy list?  What are your rules about IMs to strangers, or friends of friends?  Monitor this area often. 

§         MySpace and social networking sites.  How do you feel about your child having a page on MySpace?  Is this allowed in your family?  If your child has a page, review it together and discuss changes you would like to see.  Then let them know you will check their page occasionally with no warning.  If countless unknown “friends” can visit, so can you.  Consider adding a block on their page so strangers can’t see their page.

§         No personal information should ever be posted on the internet.  This includes last names, cell phone numbers, schools, schedule info such as team practices, parties, trips.

§         No provocative photos and language.  Kids can create an online alter ego with talk about drinking and sex in an attempt to look cool.   Talk with your child about why they want to portray themselves this way.

§         Webcams.  Do you have one?  Is your child allowed to use one?  It’s a warning sign if your child has a webcam that you did not buy for them.  This may have come from someone they are talking to online.

§         Never agree to meet someone you have met online.

§         If something happens online that makes a child uncomfortable, talk to the parents.

§         Revisit the family internet plan every 6 months.  The choices you make for your children will change as they get older.

Visit www.wiredsafety.org for more online safety tips.

Lymes' Youth Service Bureau

PO Box 589 ~ 59 Lyme Street

Old Lyme, CT  06371

860-434-7208