Computer security experts have developed a memo for parents, which is designed to protect children from online threats and make using the Internet as useful as possible. The experts have not invented a bicycle, and the recommendations boil down to obvious and simple rules. However, they can not always be observed in real life.

Rule 1.

Be attentive to the actions of your children on the “world wide web”: Do not send your children to “free float” on the Internet. Try to actively participate in your child’s interaction with the Internet, especially at the stage of mastering it. Talk with your child about what he will learn through the Internet, and how to prevent threats in time.

Rule 2.

Inform your child about the opportunities and dangers of the Net: Explain to your child that on the Internet, as in life, there are both good and bad people. Explain that if a child encounters negativity or violence from another Internet user, he or she needs to tell the people closest to him or her about it. Teach your child to look for the information he or she needs and to verify it, including with your help. Teach the child to be careful about downloading paid information and receiving paid services from the Internet, especially by sending sms, in order to avoid losing money. Make a list of useful, interesting, and safe resources your child can use, and advise him or her to use them.

Rule 3.

Choose a convenient form of controlling your child’s time on the Web: Install the necessary software on your computer – a parental control solution. If your child is a junior in high school and is often left home alone, limit the amount of time your child is online. If all family members use the computer, set it up in a place that is accessible to all family members, not in your child’s room. Create different accounts on your computer for adults and children. This will not only help keep your child safe, but it will also help keep your personal information safe. Regularly monitor the resources your child visits. Simple computer settings let you know what information your child is viewing.

Rule 4.

Regularly improve computer literacy so you know how to keep your children safe: Take advantage of convenient opportunities to improve computer and Internet literacy, such as attending courses, reading special literature, and consulting experts.

Familiarize everyone in your family with basic computer and Internet safety principles.

  • Increase your channel to the fastest speed possible, and limit the number of hours your child spends online.
  • Make sure you have protective software with parental controls.
  • Decide exactly which sites you can and cannot visit.
  • Only use chat rooms whose content you can monitor.
  • Never use provocative logins or those that identify you with 100% accuracy.
  • Don’t show your passwords to anyone.
  • As well as addresses and phone numbers.
  • Never share information that accurately identifies you.
  • Do not post inappropriate photos or those that may reveal your identity (such as the name of your school on a T-shirt).
  • Don’t share personal information with strangers online.
  • Don’t seek a face-to-face meeting with online strangers.
  • Don’t open files sent to you by strangers.