How to Keep Kids Safe Inside Chat Rooms
The Internet is a powerful tool which kids can use to acquire information, make friends, become acquainted with different cultures and learn new languages. However, it also has definite negative aspects which can pose a real threat to your child. Chat rooms, in particular, can host pedophiles and other deviant people who utilize the anonymity of the Internet to prey on kids. While some parents forbid their children from visiting chat rooms completely, it is possible to allow your kids to use chat rooms once you make them understand the dangers, along with your rules for safe conduct.
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Instructions
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Tell children they must never give out any of their personal information in a chat room. Be specific. Explain that this means they must never share their age, last name, the town where they live or a photograph of themselves.
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Explain to children that not everyone is who they say they are nor are they actually how old they claim to be. Make sure kids understand that there are bad people who go online into chat rooms pretending to be children so that they can fraternize with kids. Explain why this is dangerous.
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Tell children never to accept an electronic photograph or file from anyone they meet in a chatroom.
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Forbid your child from ever arranging an in-person encounter with anyone that he meets in a chat room.
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Sit with your child her first few times in chat rooms to observe her conduct and ensure that she is following your rules.
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Limit your child's time in chat rooms and on the Internet in general. For some parents, this will mean allowing him time in chat rooms just a few times a week or an hour after school, but only after his homework is done.
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Tips & Warnings
If possible, keep the computer in a common area, such as the living room.
Tell children it's a red flag for a possible bad person when they enter a chat room and someone asks them their age immediately.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit computer image by Ewe Degiampietro from Fotolia.com
