Internet Safety on Everyone`s Mind

The Hawken Parent`s Association meeting on Monday featured a topic on Internet safety. Michelle Harris, Pat Bergoch and Debi Ulrich spoke about the technological capabilities and social implications. After an intro about some of the social aspects of using the internet and sites like myspace, a video clip from MSNBC on predators and the Internet was presented (video will play after the 30 advertisement). Parents learned how to use a site like myspace, including account setup, and the all-too-easy way objectionable material can pop up with a few clicks. The topic turned again to social side of the Internet. Why do kids put themselves \"out there?\" How do parents talk to kids about their use? How can parents help kids make good internet decisions? Ms. Harris discussed these new parenting challenges. Parents should approach managing internet issues in a way with which they are familiar. For example, parents are often quite effective at managing other circumstances where social interaction and potential vulnerability to strangers occurs. They teach children about how to handle interpersonal situations at parties, the mall, movie theaters, in school, and so on. We can apply those same principles to the internet. Kids most often use the Internet to foster and deepen social connections. It is a most healthy and natural process to want to connect with other kids and this is a new way to do just that. Parents need to be mindful and encouraging of the healthy aspects of the choice to connect online. But they have to balance that against the ways in which such connections can expose our kids to unnecessary risks and higher levels of vulnerability. To put all that another way, it`s understandable why kids are drawn to a new venue for relationships, and just as if this was the hot new mall or other \"hangout place,\" responsible parents will make sure that their kids are safe before dropping them off. Lastly, parents need to set rules and limits, keep the internet out of the bedroom and give themselves permission to make mid-course corrections if a given \"internet family plan\" isn`t working or isn`t being respected by the kids. Hawken parent Dr. Gigi Cates asked parents to remember that using the computer and the internet is a privilege, not a right. children safe. Want to know more? Read the Internet safety newsletter published by the Hawken Technology Department last year.