How to Limit a Child's Internet Use

It is important for parents to limit the amount of time their children spend on the Internet. Children need to spend time outdoors and engaged in other activities in order to have a healthy, well balanced life.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Parental control software
• Internet monitoring program

1. Set clear rules for Internet use. As with any rule, there should be consequences if the rule is not obeyed. Talk with your child about the importance of having these rules.
2. Examine your own use of the Internet. Model appropriate usage for your child.
3. Take advantage of customized control settings. Customized control settings allow you to determine the appropriate time limits for kids, teens and mature teens.
4. Keep the computer in a public area, not in your child's bedroom.
5. Monitor remotely. Whether you are at work, away or at home, new monitoring programs allow you to determine how much time your child has spent on the Internet and how she is spending that time.
6. Parental control software will allow you to restrict and set times when the computer can be accessed. You can limit use of individual elements such as the amount of time your child can access the internet or play on line games. You can even set specific time periods for use by each child in the family.

Tips & Warnings

• Teach Internet etiquette.
• Remind your child that the Internet is a public place.
• Be sure your child knows not to give out personal information.
• Teach your child to be wary of strangers they meet on line.